A Brief Report On Indigenous Material Collections and Management at the NUOL By: Chansy Phuangsouketh Director, Central Library National University of Laos

Introduction Local information resources at the Central Library have been identified and organized to respond to the needs to the academic staff, students, and other community members Bibliographic records of these materials have been prepared and added to databases in the Central Library, and also the database maintained by Mahasarakham University. The library staff is very motivated to promote mutual understanding and to find solutions to some of the more difficult problems encountered within the Southeast Asian Network members in sharing local information resources. The library staff recognizes the value and importance of preserving local information and local resources, as these materials are unique to the Lao PDR and are of great national and cultural value.

Management of Local Information We have organized the materials into the following categories: Lao Cultures Historical, Religious, and Ethnic Heritage Fictions Folktales Legends Poetry Proverbs Audio-Visual materials

Lao Cultures Vatanatham lae Heedkhong Paphenee an Dee Ngam khong Lao (The rich culture and traditions of the Lao Nation) Book describing the great variety and wealth of culture and traditions of the Lao Nation

Historical, Religious, and Ethnic Heritage A book describing the history of Laos’ most celebrated Buddhist statue. (Pavad “Prabang” Buddha)

A book describing the home of one of the ethnic groups in Saravan Province in southern Laos. Muong Lao Heun Nhao Paukado (Muong Lao Home) Historical, Religious, and Ethnic Heritage

Fiction The fictional love story of Thao Khounlou and Nang Oua. Thao Khounlou Nang Oua (Thao Khounlou Nang Oua)

Khatixon Phuen Muong Lao (Lao Folktales) A collection of Lao folktales and parables involving teaching the reader. Folktales

Legends The legend of the Lao National Flower, the Frangipani (Plumeria). Champa See Ton (The Four Frangipani Trees)

Poetry Thao Hung Thao Cheuang (Mr. Houng and Mr. Cheung) An epic poetic tale written in modern Lao prose.

Proverbs Kham Souphasit Phuen Muong Lao (Lao Proverbs) A collection of Lao proverbs.

Audio-Visual Materials Wat Phou Sy (Phou Sy Temple) A film on VCD about the famous Luang Prabang Temple “Phou Sy”.

Future plans Fully integrate bibliographic records of all the materials contained in the Local Information collections into the Central Library’s computer database. Further promote and disseminate the local information Establishment of a digital library Preservation of local information resources

The library must improve the functioning of the library’s database and catalogue system before we can proceed with our goals of improving access to local knowledge resources. A lack of adequate financial resources to effectively promote or preserve these materials. Obstacles

Conclusion Local information resources play a significant role in maintaining our Lao cultural heritage. Attention must be paid to preserving these local information resources, or they may be lost forever. In an era of globalization and international communication, the Lao culture must be preserved. The Central Library is prepared to utilize digitization technology as soon as possible, in an effort to safe-guard our national identity for future generations.

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