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Pollak Library

John Hickok 2022-23 international library visits: November

MALAYSIA

1. ACADEMIC: visiting SEGI University Library.  Left: in addition to Malaysia's various public universities, like the University of Malaya, there are many private universities, such as SEGI University in Kuala Lumpur.  Right: presenting a CSUF LED light gift to SEGI Library Director, Raja Nur Ashykin Bt Raja Iskandar.  She will be participating in the ALA ASEAN Sister Library project.

John at SEGI University, Malaysia John with Library Director of SEGI University, Malaysia


2. PUBLIC: visiting the Penang Public Library.  The public library of Penang, Malaysia (2nd largest city, after capital Kuala Lumpur) is a fantastic public library network, complete with multiple branches, mobile bus libraries, children's programming, services for the disabled, and much more.  Left: outside the central library.  Right: At the Reference Desk with Librarian Azizah Binti Zainon

Penang Public Library, Malaysia John with Penang Public Library librarian at the Reference Desk

 
Left: in preparation for the 2022 World Cup, the library has a soccer display, featuring Malaysian players' jerseys. Right: some of the Penang mobile libraries (bookmobiles); the library has a whole fleet, reaching remote areas of the surrounding Penang province. 

 Mobile libraries (busmobiles) of the Penang Public LibraryJohn in a soccer display at the Penang Public Library, Malaysia

 

 Left: the "Lincoln Corner" is a section of Americana books donated by the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia.  Right: enjoying some flatbread pastries in the library's cafe.  The Penang Public Library will be the public library participant in the ALA ASEAN Sister Library project

Lincoln Corner Americana books in the Penang Public Library John in the cafe of the Penang Public Library, Malaysia


3. SCHOOL: Visiting the "Nobel" school library in Kuala Lumpur.  Malaysia has both public and private schools, and the librarian of the Nobel International private school, Dr. Mayasari Abdul Majid, volunteered to be the school librarian participant in the ALA ASEAN Sister Library project.  Right, below, she is posing with her "knowledge tree" she designed and had constructed in her library.

John at school library in Malaysia John with school librarian in a Malaysia school library

 

THAILAND

1. ACADEMIC: Rangsit University Library.  Rangsit University, a private university in north Bangkok, is doing amazing things at their library.  They were the recipient of the 2020 IFLA Green Library Award for their multi-approach efforts at conservation and green sustainability.  Left: outside the library entrance.  Right: the library's IFLA award, and a display of recycled plastics into daily items (cupholder, purse, etc.)

John at Rangsit University Library    Green friendly library in Thailand

 

Left: the library's very popular self-checkout machine.  Right: sharing a gift with Library director Dr. Malivan Praditteera.  She and her staff are the Thailand academic Library participants in the ALA ASEAN Sister Library grant project.

Thai library self-checkout machine  John with library director of Rangsit University library


2. ACADEMIC: Chulalongkorn University Library.  Chulalongkorn is one of Thailand's top universities, and their library is modernized with high-tech equipment, collaborative learning spaces, robust e-resources, and more.  Left: outside library entrance  Right: the combined Reference and Circulation Desks

Exterior of Chulalongkorn University Library, Thailand  Reference Desk of Chulalongkorn University Library, Thailand


Left: comparison of the Chulalongkorn e-library card with QR code and CSUF's Titan card.  Right: meeting with Ms. Sukalin Wanakasemsan, Director of the Division of Global Academic Affairs, Chulalongkorn's Office of International Affairs and Global Network. 

Comparison of Thai and US library cards  John meeting with International Office director at Chulalongkorn University


3. PUBLIC: Bangkok City Public Library.  The Bangkok City Public Library is a network of 35 branch libraries throughout the city.  The Central Library is the crown jewel: constructed in 2017 using existing architecture of an historic art-deco government building, it is an amazing fusion of historic-on-the-outside and modern/artistic-on-the-inside.  Left: the exterior entrance, posing with a delegation of the Library's officers, including the Director of the entire Bangkok City Public Library network (right of me).  Right: the spacious interior with natural lighting.

Exterior of Bangkok City Public Library Interior of Bangkok City Public LIbrary


Left: an ornate crystal chandelier cascades down the open space between the library's 3 floors.  Right: having fun in a reading nook of the Children's Library.  The Bangkok City Public Library will be the public library participant in the ALA ASEAN Sister Library grant project.
Chandelier inside the Bangkok City Public Library John posing in front of children's reading nooks of the Bangkok City Public Library  


4. PUBLIC: TK Park Cyber Library.  Another type of public library in Bangkok is the network of TK Park ("Thailand Knowledge" Park) Cyber Libraries.  These don't fall under the authority of the Bangkok City Public Libraries, but rather, under other ministries and the governor's office.  The are high-tech libraries to promote tech-literacy, reading-literacy, and art/music creativity spaces.  Top Right: the TK Park main entrance, located in Central World, one of Bangkok's largest malls.  Top Left: honeycomb reading cubicles in the children's zone.  Bottom Right: the Wi-Fi quiet study zone.  Bottom Left: the music instrument & practice zone.

Entrance of TK Park cyber library in Thailand John in honeycomb cubicles area of TK Park cyber library, Thailand

TK Park cyber library wifi zone  TK Park cyber library music zone 


5. SCHOOL: Samsen Wittayalai School Library.  This public school in Bangkok is famous for its generous alumni support, and that includes the library. It was recently renovated to include group learning rooms, multimedia zones, computer support staffing, and more.   Top left: entrance of the library.  Top right: the computing & multimedia zones.  Middle left: a view of the library seating area.  Middle right: book shelves and the decorative interior design (tree theme).  Bottom left: a library instruction room designed like a hotel ballroom(!)  Bottom right: standing by the school's front entrance sign.  This school library is the Thailand school library participant in the ALA ASEAN Sister Library grant project.
Thai school library entrance  Thai school library computer & multimedia zones

school library seating area Thai school library interior design

Thai school library instruction room  John in front of Thai school front sign