A workshop on the much-criticized Yangon Region Library Bill was held at the Seinlansopyay Garden in Yangon on February 17.

Organized by Bonemazeya Community Development Association, the workshop aims to organize the public libraries and ensure the emergence of law which will help support the sustainable development of libraries.

Ma Thanda Thae Su Kyi of Bonemazeya Community Development Association said: “As far as I know, librarians who provide technical service for libraries and those who use libraries are not satisfied with the Yangon Region Library Bill. I am a little bit suspicious of the fact whether they find the common ground for the law. This workshop is aimed at bridging the missing network.”

Librarians, those who set up libraries and library organizations discussed the Yangon Region Library Bill submitted by the region government to parliament.

“I want the decentralization. Library law needs to control and protect the library field. I want the law which includes a wide variety of stakeholders from the library field,” she added.

The association also held a workshop on the Sagaing Region Library Bill. The association sent the reviews and suggestions of MPs and CSOs to Sagaing Region parliament. The Sagaing Region parliament approved the bill with reviews and suggestions.

On behalf of the region government, Region Minister for Kayin National Affairs Naw Pan Thinzar Myo submitted the bill at the second day session of Yangon Region Parliament.  

Yangon Region Library Bill is comprised of 10 chapters.