National Library of Myanmar
Encyclopedia
The National Library of Myanmar, located in Yankin township
, Yangon
, is the national library
of Myanmar
. Established in 1952, the National Library, along with Yangon University Library, is one of only two research libraries in Yangon. The library houses more than 220,000 books, divided into 10 sections.
Its collection used to be about 618,000 books and periodicals as well as 15,800 rare and valuable manuscripts. However, in 2006, the military government
announced a plan to move a large part of its collection to a new National Library in Naypyidaw
, and to auction off its 8-story building and 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) lot in Tamwe township
. In October 2008, the National Library was moved to its current location.
The library's current collection of ancient Burmese
texts includes 16,066 palm-leaf inscriptions, 1972 parabaik (folded writing tablets made of paper, cloth or metal), and 345 handwritten scripts of famous writers. The library's preservation and conservation section, established in 1993, regularly maintains rare Burmese manuscripts. The library plans to offer an online catalog.
The National Library is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and National Libraries Group-Southeast Asia.
, which opened in 1883 during the British colonial era. The Bernard Library was renamed the State Library under the management of the Ministry of Culture in 1952, and changed its name to the National Library in 1967. The library was first located in the Jubilee Hall building, then moved to Pansodan Road, then relocated to its penultimate home in Tamwe
, and finally moved to its present location in Yankin
in October 2008.
Yankin Township
Yankin Township is located in the north-central part of Yangon. The township comprises 15 wards, and shares borders with Mayangon township in the north, Thingangyun township and South Okkalapa township in the east, the Inya Lake, Bahan township and Mayangon township in the west, and Tamwe township...
, Yangon
Yangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
, is the national library
National library
A national library is a library specifically established by the government of a country to serve as the preeminent repository of information for that country. Unlike public libraries, these rarely allow citizens to borrow books...
of Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
. Established in 1952, the National Library, along with Yangon University Library, is one of only two research libraries in Yangon. The library houses more than 220,000 books, divided into 10 sections.
Its collection used to be about 618,000 books and periodicals as well as 15,800 rare and valuable manuscripts. However, in 2006, the military government
State Peace and Development Council
The State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
announced a plan to move a large part of its collection to a new National Library in Naypyidaw
Naypyidaw
Naypyidaw is the capital city of Burma, also known as Myanmar. It is administered as the Naypyidaw Union Territory, as per the 2008 Constitution. On 6 November 2005, the administrative capital of Myanmar was officially moved to a greenfield 3.2 km west of Pyinmana, and approximately...
, and to auction off its 8-story building and 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) lot in Tamwe township
Tamwe Township
Tamwe Township is located in east central Yangon, Myanmar. The township comprises 20 wards, and shares borders with Yankin township in the north, Thingangyun township and Mingala Taungnyunt township in the east, Bahan township in the west, and Mingala Taungnyunt township in the...
. In October 2008, the National Library was moved to its current location.
The library's current collection of ancient Burmese
Burmese language
The Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as...
texts includes 16,066 palm-leaf inscriptions, 1972 parabaik (folded writing tablets made of paper, cloth or metal), and 345 handwritten scripts of famous writers. The library's preservation and conservation section, established in 1993, regularly maintains rare Burmese manuscripts. The library plans to offer an online catalog.
The National Library is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and National Libraries Group-Southeast Asia.
History
The National Library originated from the Bernard Free LibraryBernard Free Library
The Bernard Free Library was established on 21 February 1883 when the Commissioner of Lower Myanmar, Sir Charles Edward Bernard opened a library, with his collection of books, in the centre of Rangoon . This library was the first free public library in Myanmar...
, which opened in 1883 during the British colonial era. The Bernard Library was renamed the State Library under the management of the Ministry of Culture in 1952, and changed its name to the National Library in 1967. The library was first located in the Jubilee Hall building, then moved to Pansodan Road, then relocated to its penultimate home in Tamwe
Tamwe Township
Tamwe Township is located in east central Yangon, Myanmar. The township comprises 20 wards, and shares borders with Yankin township in the north, Thingangyun township and Mingala Taungnyunt township in the east, Bahan township in the west, and Mingala Taungnyunt township in the...
, and finally moved to its present location in Yankin
Yankin Township
Yankin Township is located in the north-central part of Yangon. The township comprises 15 wards, and shares borders with Mayangon township in the north, Thingangyun township and South Okkalapa township in the east, the Inya Lake, Bahan township and Mayangon township in the west, and Tamwe township...
in October 2008.