NARGIS LIBRARY RECOVERY PROJECT NEWSLETTER #7, SEPTEMBER 2009
We enter a new stage this month: considering direct aid to a Yangon library deluged since Nargis Cyclone with students who lost their libraries. We had added books, now we want to supply funds for more internet access, more shelving, more space and more desks to serve their 4000 members. Their story is electric. It illustrates the rise within Myanmar of NGOs that carry out vital functions within communities and across civil society. We invited proposals, here is a response:
ICE Youth [Information Center for Every Youth] started as an idea to share information among students. It was conceived by Kundan Chabra nearly ten years ago. He recruited friends who shared his vision of a Yangon-based mobile library to support Burmese community libraries with books and learning materials. After a year several members left to pursue further education and new students joined, so the group re-organized itself as ICE Youth to collect books and secure donations through direct phone solicitation and mailings. This process was carried out from the founder’s home.
On June 09, 2002 our library opened in the home of an organizer on 49th Street in downtown Yangon. We had only 500 books (including fiction and standardized test books). Book donations and our own funding sustained our library for several years in that location. In fact, many books came from the Myanmar Youth Association in New Jersey. During that early period, several student organizers attended library courses to better manage our library. In September 2003, we relocated to attic space at Pansodan Street contributed by two businessmen; then we moved to our current apartment in Hledan Street of Lanmadaw Township.
Our library’s income is derived from our patrons’ processing fees, enough to pay rent and utilities. We initially conceived of sharing information about international education and standardized tests to supplement learning at public schools and colleges; but as we gained experience, we realized that this was not the only way to enhance employment potential of our members. We invited more coordinators, volunteers and redefined the objective of ICE Youth: to participate directly in academic and intellectual development of young people through empowering Myanmar society with knowledge. We aspire to have nationwide outreach by helping other libraries.
Book donations from the British Counsel Library and the American Center Libraries have expanded holdings in recent years, which attracted new users to Ice-Youth Library. Because ICE-Youth Library remains unaffiliated with any foreign or governmental authority, students are freer to join and use its resources. We consider this library a vital addition to strengthen Myanmar’s community and college libraries. I will recommend approval at our second Roundtable with MBAP Foundation October 31. Other libraries are submitting proposals; here is our first from ICE-Youth Library.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING FACILITY Amount (US$) Volunteer contribution
1. Generator (5 KVA) 1 unit x $1,000 1,000
2. Rental of current room,12 months x $ 150 1,800
3. Books–Current books on test preparations:
Toefl, SAT, IELTS, MCSE 2,000
Total 4,800
EXPANSION OF FACILITY
1. Rental 36 months x $ 150 5,400
2. Shelving 12 x $130 1,560
3. Computers 2 x $500 1,000
4. Laptop 2 x $500 1,000
5. Staff @ 50 hours weekly, volunteer librarians —— 2500 hours @ $2 = $5000
Total 8,960
If funds are available, we want to install Wi-Max @ 2,000
Grand Total —— $15,760 + $5000 of pro bono time
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