MYANMAR BOOK AID
AND
PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
(MBAPF)
Myanmar Book Aid and Preservation Foundation was formed in 2001 as an arm of the
Myanmar Book Centre and registered as a non-governmental and non-profit foundation.
History
As Myanmar people are devoted to reading, but many do not have the financial means to
buy books from outside the country, a group of librarians, scholars and writers who
interested in helping and who sympathized with the needs of their own countrymen
formed MBAPF with the moto of “Supplying the world knowledge”to Myanmar.
Myanmar has a very good literacy rate, but unfortunately many libraries do not have
enough budget to buy foreign publications to meet the needs of readers. MBAPF acts as
a bridge between overseas publishers, foundations and local libraries.
Since Myanmar Book Centre, book aid agencies (our trading arm) is a leading book
importer and distributor since 1991, close relationships were developed with various
foreign publishers. Many publishers have sympathy for the Myanmar situation and many
books were donated. Moreover, since importing of books into Myanmar is very difficult,
MBAPF imported books on behalf of foreign donor from oversea publishers and
foundations.
Objectives
MBAPF was formed with the following objectives:
1) To assist import of donated books and distribute to local libraries.
2) To develop electronic version of books, journals and newspapers from Myanmar
and distribute to local libraries in CD-Rom format and online.
3) Preservation of traditional Myanmar manuscripts, rare books and newspapers and
to give free access to scholars, both local and overseas.
4) To cooperate with overseas foundations and institutions on preservation and give
access via internet as well as in CD-Rom format.
5) Cooperate with overseas foundations and institutions to hold workshops and
seminars on training for local librarians and archivists.
6) Cooperate with foreign donors to distribute library equipment like computers,
photocopiers, scanners, digital cameras, etc. to local libraries.
Current Activities of MBAPF
1) 1996-2001- Digitalization of the complete set of Journal of Burma Research Society
(1911 - 1978). This searchable database is now donated to all the major libraries.
2) 2001-2006 - Preservation and conservation of traditional Myanmar manuscripts
sponsored by C-DATS and the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. The result of this
five years project is given free access via Tokyo University of Foreign Studies website.
3) 2002
- Leading the preservation project on "Selective works of Myanmar history,
culture, archaeology and literature after Independence" funded by University of
Washington, Seattle, USA. This searchable database is also donated to major local
libraries.
4) 2006
- Work as coordinator of "Symposium for Preservation and Conservation of
Traditional Myanmar Manuscripts" held in Yangon, Myanmar. Ten overseas librarians
and scholars from the British Library, EFEO(France), USA, Japan and up to 40 local
scholars, archivists and librarians attended this symposium and shared their knowledge.
The papers have been published by the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies as a
monograph under the title: Enriching the Past and distributed by MBAPF free of
charge.
5)2006 Jan-June - 6 months project on "Continuation of Preservation and Conservation
of Traditional Manuscripts” funded Toyota Foundation.
6)2006-2008 – 2 years project on “Preservation and Conservation of Traditional
Myanmar manuscripts with special emphasis on Shan and Mon manuscripts”. Digitising
of hundred of rare manuscripts were done and results can now be accessed online free of
charge.
7) 2007-2008 – Donation of electronic databases for one year subscription to Myanmar eLibrary website, the country’s portal for online academic university and college libraries
network.
8) 2007-2008 – Preservation and digitizing of Dr. Than Tun’s collection, country most
famous historian in Myanmar.
9) 2007-2008 – Preservation by mean of microfilming rare collection of old newspapers
from the Ludu Library from Mandalay.
10)2007-2008 – Assist Cetana Foundation based in USA to channel import of books into
Myanmar. Donated books are distributed to local libraries.
11) 2008 - Preservation and digitizing of Dr. Hla Pe’s Collection, the eminent Professor
of Myanmar Language and Literature, retired from University of London. (Passed away
in 2007).
Activities MBAPF can Handle
1) Acceptance of donations in kind, or in cash.
2) Importing and distribution of books which are donated (i.e also to buy from
abroad with donated money, and distribute to Myanmar libaries.)
3) Importing and distribution of donated library supply materials such as computers,
scanners, digital cameras and photocopiers.
4) Preservation of books and give free access via internet and CD-Roms.
5) Arranging for symposiums and workshops for training library staffs, archivists
and other academic researchers.
BOARD MEMBERS OF MBAPF
Board members consists of experienced librarians, well-known local scholars and
computer experts.
Name
1) Dr. Thaw Kaung
Position
Chairman
2) Dr. Thant Thaw Kaung
3) Dr. John Badgley
4) U Myo Thant
Director
Director
Member
5) U Tin Maung Lwin
Member
6) U Than Ohn
7) U Tin Saung
8) Dr. Aung Maw
9) Dr. May Moe Nwe
Member
Member
Member
Secretary
Other Position
Member, Myanmar Historical Commission
Chief Librarian, (Ret.) Universities Central
Library
Managing Director, Myanmar Book Centre
Curator, (Ret.)Cornell University Lib
President, (Ret.) Myanmar Writers’ and
Journalists Association
Vice-President(Ret.)
Myanmar Library Association
Librarian, YMCA
Librarian, (Ret.) National Library
Librarian, (Ret.)National Library
Director, i-Group, IT Dept.
Director, Myanmar Book Centre
Contact Address:
Myanmar Book Aid and Preservation
Foundation
No 55, Baho Road
(Corner of Baho and Ahlone Road)
Ahlone Township
Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: (951) 221 271, 212 409, 214 708
Fax: (951) 221 271
Email: mbcbook@myanmarbook.com
thantthaw@book.co.th
Contact : Dr. Thant Thaw Kaung
Myanmar Book Aid and Preservation
Foundation (USA Branch)
9911 220th St. SW
Edmonds, WA 98020
USA
(425) 697-5414
HP: (425) 772-0721