Tawee Panya Foundation

Background

Tawee Panya Foundation was founded by the approval of the Executive Board Committee of the Thai Library Association under the Royal Patronage of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The objective is to concretely drive and develop libraries in Thailand within a small budget. The Foundation was established by six founders as follows:

1. Professor Khunying Maenmas Chavalit
2. Sataramedhi Suwakhon Siriwongworawat
3. Miss Aimorn Tanthien
4. Miss Watsamon Saowakonsatian
5. Group Captain Nawarat Tongsaluay
6. Miss Suchit Suvaphab

The Foundation started raising fund and developing the draft regulations.

The first meeting was conducted on April 27, 2013 for foundation regulations drafting, budget use for establishment registration fee. The budget was contributed from the donation fund of 159,161.62 Baht for library research and development and from the Professor Khunying Maenmas Chavalit Award (Library Development) of 80,000 Baht for six consecutive years (2007-2012). The total fund was 239,161.62 Baht. The Foundation itself had the initial budget of 610,435 Baht derived from the devotee donation, the bank interest and other income.

On March 16, 2017, the Foundation was registered. The executive board committee members comprising:

1. Sataramedhi Suwakhon Siriwongworawat Chairperson
2. Miss Aimorn Tanthien Vice Chairperson
3. Khunying Maenmas Chavalit    Committee Member
4. Miss Tassana Hanpol    Committee Member
5. Prachark Wattananusit    Committee Member
6. Miss Poolsook Priwatrworawute    Committee Member
7. Weerawan Wannato     Committee Member and Treasurer
8. Suchit Suvaphab     Committee Member and Secretary
9. Miss Watsamon Saowakonsatian     Committee Member and Asst. Secretary

Objectives

1. To develop the deficient library in terms of physical condition, resources, arrangement of training curriculum for teacher librarian, staff, and reading promotion activity.
2. To create sustainable reading culture for the youth, community and society.
3. To promote and support dedicated person for society in library development.
4. To collaborate with other organizations in library promotion and development.
5. To conduct for public benefit or cooperate with other organizations for library development.
6. To be free from any political involvement.

Operations of Committee

The Foundation is operated by the committee not less than 7 members but not more than 11. The committee comprises the following positions: chairperson, vice chairperson, advisor, committee member, treasurer, secretary, assistant secretary, and other positions as deemed necessary.

At the beginning, the founding committee selected the operation committee consisting of the chairperson and other members with appropriate numbers. The term of the committee member is five year period.

Important Projects/Activities

In 2017

The Foundation started the Project Commemorating Good People for Society which was funded by the Stock Exchange of Thailand Foundation. The Thai Library Association presented the project for Tawee Panya Foundation and the following was the field work:

1. Development of Prompanya Library, prison/correctional institution, under the Royal Initiative of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to create good people via learning from the library by developing library to be ready in physical aspect, library resources, and activities to promote learning and reading for prisoners as the Princess’ saying that "If society doesn't give an opportunity, there won’t be good people returning to society.” The Thai Library Association received the initiative by developing four Prom Panya Libraries, prisons/correctional institutions in 2017 as follows:
   • Prompanya Library, Samut Prakan Central Prison was supported with the Automated Library System Program PMB.
   • Prompanya Library, Uthai Thani Prison was supported with the Automated Library System Program PMB.
   • Prompanya Library, Phitsanulok Women’s Correctional Institution was supported with the Automated Library System Program PMB.
   • Library, Thung Bencha Open Correctional Institution, Chantaburi Province was supported with books.
2. The development of needy/flooded library. The Thai Library Association was aware of budget shortage of official offices which could not cover for the library development, therefore the Thai Library Association supported the school which wanted to develop its library in proactive way in order to meet the community demand. In 2017, the four libraries in need and flood affected received assistance as follows:
   • A school library in Sakon Nakhon Province received donated books.
   • A public library in Sakon Nakhon Province received donated books.
   • Huai Krot Wittaya School library at Chai Nat Province received donated computers and books.
   • Mechai Bamboo School Library at Buri Ram Province received donated computers and books.
3. Library Network Development and ASEAN Librarian Exchange Project.
   • MOU signing between Thai Library Association and Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) at Bacolod City, Philippines was conducted during November 21-25, 2017.
   • The Cambodian librarians received capacity development by arranging the library science training course in Thailand at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and library visit to Maruey Library, National Library of Thailand and KU Green Library during February 8-12, 2017.
   • The staff participated in the 17^th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL XVII) in Naypyitaw, Myanmar during May 2-4, 2017 in order to establish and strengthen relationship in several fields including academic support and cooperation among ASEAN Countries.

In 2018

The Tawee Panya Foundation conducted the projects as follows:

1. Library for ALL Prompanya Library Project, Department of Corrections, Knowledge Management Training Course, class 4 for 5 school libraries.
2. ASEAN Network Development/Exchange Project: Laos, Cambodia, Philippines.
3. The Book of My Life Project: Reader & Librarian in Bangkok conduct reading promotion campaign for everybody in Bangkok especially administrators, leaders, social net idols and librarians in order to encourage and promote reading for children, youth and people to love reading by making and presenting favorite book of each one and presenting in various forms every day and every month on social media.
4. Good people visit in order to build relationship and inspiration in library development.
5. Finding, evaluating and selecting good people.

            In 2019

In the third year, the Foundation administered and managed the projects as follows:

1. Library for ALL Project. It was conducted in various libraries as follows:
   • Prompanya Library, Department of Corrections, 3 libraries:

• Nakhon Phanom Prison
• Rayong Prison
• Trang Prison
  • International Tripitaka Hall, Panyavichalai Institute, Wat Cholpratan Rangsalit.

2. Library Project: Care for the Bear. It was conducted 3 times at 3 places as follows:

2.1 The Stock Exchange of Thailand, Bangkok with 300 participants

2.2 Phuket Rajabhat University, Phuket with 100 participants

2.3 Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai with 150 participants

3. Book of MY Life Project. The project purposes are as follows: to campaign and promote reading culture for society and community, searching, compiling and making book on the inspiration of administrator, social leaders and net idols; to create the inspiration, encourage and promote society and community reading; to create the chain of reading in building concrete learning society in Thailand. At present, the Project has received the information from 25 inspirers.

4. Charity Musical Theatre Project. There were 2 stories. Through the charity musical theatre, the Project aimed create opportunity for the youth using their imagination, sparking an idea, and developing their quality of life. The participants were 20 teachers and pupils from Demonstration School of Thammasat University, 20 teachers and pupils from Center of Unity School and 20 teachers and pupils from School for the Blind.

In 2020

1. Library for ALL Project. It was conducted in various libraries as follows:
   • Prompanya Library, Department of Corrections, 3 libraries:

• Songkhla Central Prison
• Songkhla Women Prison
• Songkhla Male’s Correctional Institution
• School Library, Satun Province

2.CSR : Happy Sharing Cabinet @ TLA

3. Library Project: Care for the Bear. It was conducted 3 times at 3 places as follows:

2.1  Sakol Nakorn Rajabhat University, Sakol Nakorn with 200 participants