Don’t lock up books, says Yangon’s ‘free librarian’

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Don’t lock up books, says Yangon’s ‘free librarian’

By Nyein Ei Ei Htwe

YANGON:-- The books, thousands of them, stretch from floor to ceiling. If the librarian thinks not enough people are borrowing them, he will get on his bike and deliver a basketful to readers. There is no charge. In fact, he has been known to pay people to read.

He is known as the free librarian of Hlaing township, and if he insists on giving away books, there are plenty of people who will make up the deficiency by donating more.

His name is Zaw Zaw. The 26-year-old owns two libraries, both called “Mandalay” – one in Hlaing township, Yangon, and the other in his home village of Si Tar, Kyaukpadaung township, Mandalay Region.

Last week, Zaw Zaw was awarded the Citizen of Burma Award (CoBA) intended for voluntary workers who benefit society. Founded in 2010, CoBA is an organisation of Myanmar nationals living abroad dedicated to recognising important contributions to Myanmar society by individuals or groups within Myanmar.

“I am very happy about the prize but it is also a spur that encourages me to continue to pursue my dream of building free libraries throughout the country.”

Hunger is one of his earliest memories. “My mother worked on a farm. We lived on baked beans because we had no rice,” he said.

But he also loved reading since he first learned to read and his grandfather, U San Thein, encouraged him with tales of famous writers.

Read more: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/lifestyle/15178-don-t-lock-up-books-says-yangon-s-free-librarian.html

[FangFerang]

Outstanding!