UNION Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn attended a ceremony to launch the “developing libraries and raising reading habits campaign” at the Yangon Region government office in Dagon Township yesterday.

In his opening speech, the Union Minister, who is also Chairman of Myanmar Libraries Development Cooperation Committee, said a book donation ceremony was organized on 3 April and the Prime Minister and his family donated 4,500 books of Public Science Treatises Volumes 1, 2, and 3. The ministry donated 5,500 books and journals, totalling 10,000 copies.

Similarly, the ceremony to donate books and publications to libraries held on 10 April across the nation received over K1,000 million in cash donations and 85,540 copies of books.

Moreover, the State Administration Council organized the Myanmar Libraries Development Cooperation Committee, which aimed to improve reading habits, utilize cash donations effectively, classify books, and conduct donation ceremonies every month.

He continued that there were over 6,000 ward/village libraries in the country, and there are only 3,000 currently, while 2,500 of them suspend the library processes for various reasons.

The Head of the State also conducted sector-wise development projects such as the construction of dams, bridges, strategic roads, and inter-district or inter-township roads and also called for turning out more educated persons and human resources for the development of the country. Therefore, 24 special development zones were designated to establish universities and colleges, including ward and village libraries, as per his guidance.

The Union minister also highlighted the setting up of self-reliant libraries in rural areas as a national project starting from 2004, the critical role of libraries for students, duties of relevant offices to draw the students in reading with various possible ways such as literary talks, prompt talks, quiz shows, among others.

He then said that on 9 May, well-wishers donated K2,205 million to 147 libraries in the campaign to develop libraries and improve reading habits in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory.

Then, the Union minister handed over K30 million for repair works of six libraries in Yangon and K75 million to construct five new libraries, totalling K105 million, to Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein.

The Union minister, Myanmar Libraries Foundation Patron U Kyaw San and relevant officials received cash donations from the well-wishers. The Union minister and party observed the books and publications displayed at the event.

MNA/KTZH

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