Mobile Library Encourages Children and Young People of the Tonle Sap River to Read and Study

Society

Mobile Library Encourages Children and Young People of the Tonle Sap River to Read and Study

For nearly a year, the Mobile Library has been in operation in the floating village of Prek Toal. This is a boat library with a large collection of children's books, said Kheng Samnang who is the librarian and pilots the boat. Photo: Thmey Thmey

By Phat Dane
March 31, 2024 2:30 PM

Battambang — For nearly a year, the Mobile Library has been in operation in the floating village of Prek Toal. This is a boat library with a large collection of children's books, said Kheng Samnang who is the librarian and pilots the boat.

Supported by the NGO Aide et Action Cambodia, the Mobile Library contributes to the education of children living in this remote area.

Samnang has been working for more than a year at this library that provides children with a selection of books on numerous subjects. Monday through Friday, he drives a motorboat filled with books from his home to the school to Prek Toal Village, which is located in the Ek Phnom District of Battambang province and near the Tonle Sap river.

As its name indicates, the Mobile Library does not remain anchored at one location. Samnang tours the schools at several locations according to a set schedule. Having lived on the Tonle Sap lake himself, doing so is being on familiar territory.

**Kheng Samnang is the librarian and pilots the boat. Photo: Thmey Thmey**

According to a set schedule, the Mobile Library remains at one location one or two days depending on the distance between the schools, Samnang said. He makes sure that books for the different group ages and levels of reading are available, and that there are different books available over set periods of time so his young readers have choices, he said.

Enabling children and young people to go through books is also a way to encourage them to study, Samnang said. “The Mobile Library encourages children who cannot read books to acquire more knowledge,” he said. “We try to gather as many children as we can and help them learn to read. Sometimes, students or children who can read teach those who can’t.’’

Samnang said he has noticed a positive change among children and students since they have had access to the books in the Mobile Library. This has helped with their education and ability to communicate, he said.

“Because of the Mobile Library, it encourages children who cannot read to acquire more knowledge,” he said. “We try to gather as many children as we can to help them learn to read. Sometimes, students or children who can read teach those who cannot.’’ So the library is now also a place where children and students build relationships, Samnang said.

He also hopes that access to the library will encourage them to study and those who can to pursue their education, he said.

Which is why Samnang intend to continue his work on the Tonle Sap lake as long as he can to encourage out-of-school students to look at or read books, he said.