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Vision a new library for Thimphu
Thimphu City Corporation has announced that it will build a new public library. What kind of a public library do we need? What kind of a public library would befit the capital of Bhutan? Please share ideas to create a vision for a public library that truly serves the public.
I feel that we need not have to prioritize on public library. Yes, it would be great benefit to the people, especially kids if the town owns a well furnished public library. But looking at the current situation of not having basic facilities like enough street lamp post, adequate and enough footpaths, not refurbished children parks etc. the opening of new library would be like worrying about jewel when we do not even have a crown. For few more years, we can use the old library and even such faclilities can be created by ourself without waiting for government if felt really in need- it is not beyound our capacity, it’s not like creating a basketball and football court.
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LikeDislikeYes, we need not wait for government to create a new library. People can make it happen. There is a very small group of volunteers at the public library and this momentum needs to grow. Any ideas how to get people more involved and more supportive of reading?
As for putting the library second to footpaths and basketball courts, i think a place promoting reading is as important as other physical infrastructure. The footpaths and lamp posts make life easier, a library contributes to the opening up of minds and the imagination – essential to the culture and identity of a small country like ours. Physical infrastructure, while important, contributes to the material world; reading contributes to our cultural health.
As the education minister said at a book launch recently, there are more bars in Thimphu than places with books. The journalist wrote a story on the library with a headline that says: Will Reading become History? We hope not. We’ve not even begun to read! And you’ll find plenty at the public library.
So what can we do to promote reading? We’d like to begin with the dream of a public library that befits a GNH society, with something for both the young and old and an outdoor space for reading the newspapers, indoor space for arts and crafts, and activity rooms for children. All the best selection of bhutanese audio-visuals and publications. More ideas?
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LikeDislikeOMG its like this forum read my mind. The other day, I was just imagining having ( if not a HUGGGGGEE) atleast a good library where everyone in Thimphu would bring in their used books and donate it to the library and then everyone would have a membership.Just imagine the amount we would be EDUCATING OUR YOUTH! A small coffee and snack bar with private reading areas with some nice bhutanese instrumental songs in the background and work space for students/everyone to come and do their homework and office work . Also there should be shelves where personal poetry, essays and any sort of literary work written by Bhutanese should be displayed. In fact I was just thinking how much of creative work and research Bhutanese within and abroad must have done. It would be great to showcase these work; thesis, films, artwork, poetry and so on.*sigh* dreaming too big! lol. It would be WONDERFUL for the Bhutanese community to come together, converse about current issue, bond with people within our own community and enjoy our wonderful country.
Also Mrs.Pek, I definitely agree with you. Whatever the country does, whether it is economically sound or not, the education of our younger generation is uncompromisable. It is like compromising the health and future of our country. Reading is not like academic studies where you are forced to read heavy materials. It is knowledge beyond institutional borders. It is about expanding your political , social and moral imagination beyond limits we could ever imagine.
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LikeDislikeThe name; ‘Public Library’ is not very new to the society. Yes, as of now more than 65% of the people of Bhutan must be not knowing much about it. It is very high time for the Bhutanese to open the world to the Public Library, i know we can do it! The only public lending library in Bhutan (JDW Public Library) is struggling with very crammed space and materials. I can’t imagine the small face of library among 3 to 4 storied buildings housed in one storied traditional house which is build in late 90s. Will it be same for again hundred more years or is someone looking forward to make it better? I am confused!
It is high time for the people to realize about the library in Bhutan which will take you to the world of reading. I am sure you will not regret having a beautiful public library with different kinds of facilities. Let us all be a part of public library and build the revolution. I am confident that the sagacity and wisdom of our higher authority will enable our library to sail through the turbulent sea of uncertainty dimly visible at present at the horizon. We are in need of your blessings, encouragement and support in making the public library a truly global library living up to its Credo “Excellence with values”. Avoid spending in unnecessary stuffs, but spend more in reading.
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LikeDislikeGreat website ! I’ve just shared it on the social networks.
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