Conference on Libraries Transform
Unlocking Your Potential as Librarians Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
President, Brunei Darussalam Library Association
Keynote Address: How did we Start?
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Agenda
• Chronology of the establishment of major libraries formation • Our early pioneers • Library development in 1970s to 1980s • Formation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei
• The Earliest Achievements and Milestones • Conclusion
2
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Chronology of Major Library Formations
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s 1997 MINDEF
2000
1953 Information Departments Reading Rooms
1965 Brunei Museums
1982 Brunei History Centre
2001 Brunei Islamic Library
1953 SOAS College
1968 DBP Brunei
1985 UBD
2007 Class of 64 library
1986 ITB (UTB)
2009 UNISSA
1989 Islamic Dakwah Centre
2012 Politeknik Brunei
AAC 1959 Attorney General Chambers
3
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Our Early Pioneers Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja - Yang Berhormat Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (DR) Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar
4
Thelma Salazar
Hj Sahari Hj Nassar
Hj Ali Hj Kayum
Tahira Shariff
Nellie Sunny
Hj Abu Bakar Hj Zainal
Kamaruddin Omar
Mohd Yusuf Hj Morni
4
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Our Early Pioneers
5
Hj Abu Bakar Ishak
Allahyarham Hj Kahar Hj Puteh
Hjh Rohana Phn Manan
Hj Tuah Mantrais
Hjh Mastura Masri
Allahyarham Hj Ghani Mohammad
Pg Omarali PA Hashim
Allayarham Hj Hamidun BP DP Hj Hassan
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Library development in 1970s and 1980s • Prior to 1960 very little information is available about early libraries in Brunei • The first “library” in Brunei was operated in 1953 by the Information Service Department . • The reading rooms were in operation in all districts till 1973. • Three of these reading rooms later became DBP Brunei District Libraries. • 1950s saw the establishment of SOAS College and AAC
6
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Formation of DBP Brunei The early start of the modern library development as we know today began with: State Secretariat Circular 36/1962 section 4(I-d-ii) dated 1963 stated the use of the Malay language in the Government and the formation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei on 1 January 1965.
7
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Vision of public libraries
As early as in the 1960s, Yang Berhormat Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (DR) Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri shared his vision to have public libraries. He ‘recruited’ the first batch of students to study librarianship in the United Kingdom.
8
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Public Libraries The public library began with the completion of DBP Brunei on 29 Sept 1965 costing B$2.6 million building with a 2 storey purpose built library premises Opening of the new building on 29 Sept 1968 and the appointment of a Chief Librarian in 1968
9
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei With the non existence of a National Library, the libraries of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei became the main public library system since 1968 providing a full range of free services to the general public; Its lending services began in 1971
10
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Mobile Library Services First mobile library service to SR Sengkurong on 6 June 1970 and to Kg Sengkurong on 8 August 1970
11
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Kg Sengkurong in August 1970
12
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Appointment of 1st local professional librarian in 1974
13
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Flagship project Peraduan Mari Bercerita in mid 70s
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Professional Development In the early 1970s, library staff were sent to Singapore National Library for on the job training. In the 1980s, more librarians returned from the United Kingdom and Malaysia with their professional library qualifications. This boosts the rapid development of other libraries in academic and special library sectors.
15
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Development of other libraries Special libraries
Special libraries were established as and when the respective government department was formed, the earliest in 1950s
16
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Academic libraries from 1986 Universiti Brunei Darussalam Universiti Teknologi Brunei (former ITB) KUPU-Seri Begawan Universiti Islamic Sultan Sharif Ali Politeknik Brunei .
17
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Formation of the Brunei Darussalam Library Association .
The recently returned librarians agreed to form the Brunei Darussalam Library Association (BLA) . It was registered on 11 March 1986.
18
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Library Staffing in Major Libraries
147
Special libraries AGC Brunei History Centre Brunei Islamic Library Brunei Museums MINDEF
5 5 14 4 11
79
Public Libraries DBP Brunei
147
39
Academic libraries UTB UNISSA UBD Politeknik Brunei
9 15 47 3
Special Libraries
Public Libraries Source: FOCAL 2015
Academic Libraries
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Quick Facts
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Through BLA partnerships with international and regional for a our librarians enjoy activities and programmes offered under: The International Federation of Library Associations Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians Asia Festival of Children’s Content International Network of Emerging Library InnovatorsASEAN International Association of School Libraries
How did we start? Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny
Conclusion
Today we stand as ONE . We mark our achievements with BLA Librarian awards to recognise and honour the contributions of librarians and those working in libraries for their commitment to BLA and the profession and dedicated services to information seekers.