A Lost Culture: Revival of Libraries in Cambodia by Wanna Net

Overview of Wanna Net's Journey

  • Background:

    • Wanna Net is an iSchool graduate who returned to Cambodia to promote library and information science.

    • Faced skepticism upon his return about his field of study, indicating a cultural undervaluation of libraries.

  • Historical Context:

    • Cambodia has suffered decades of conflict, including violence between the Vietnamese and the Khmer Rouge.

    • Net became an orphan during this turmoil, highlighting the challenges faced in gaining education.

  • Current State of Libraries in Cambodia:

    • Libraries and librarians are underappreciated in Cambodia, perceived as low-profile and low-paying jobs.

    • There are limited job opportunities in library science.

    • Many Cambodians are unaware of the value libraries provide, as they live in a largely oral culture and struggle with poverty.

    • Quote from Net: “People are trying to make sure they have enough to feed their family, so they don’t really have time to do reading.”

Education and Qualifications

  • Academic Background:

    • Net graduated with a Master of Library and Information Science from the iSchool in 2008.

    • He was one of only two professionals with Western credentials in library science in Cambodia.

    • Studied library management and cataloging, which are unfamiliar skills in Cambodia.

    • Earned an international development certificate from the UW Evans School of Public Affairs.

    • Received a partial scholarship to aid his studies.

  • Impact of iSchool on Net's Career:

    • His iSchool education has significantly influenced his ability to improve educational opportunities in Cambodia.

    • The credential from iSchool has been pivotal in his career development, providing him access to roles and leadership opportunities within the field.

Roles and Responsibilities at Hun Sen Library

  • Position:

    • Senior librarian at the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Hun Sen Library, which houses approximately 100,000 books.

    • Handles various responsibilities: publicity, decision-making, strategic planning, and teaching.

    • Library named after Cambodia’s long-term Prime Minister, Hun Sen.

  • Challenges Faced:

    • The majority of the collection consists of English-language books, necessitating translation into Khmer for local training.

    • The task of training new librarians is hampered by language barriers and resource availability.

Professional Activities and Contributions

  • Leadership in Library Organizations:

    • Country coordinator for the Cambodian Electronics Information for Library Consortium, facilitating access to millions of online articles.

    • Secretary general for the Cambodian Librarians and Documentalists Association, helping to train members and organize a book fair promoting library work in Cambodia.

  • Collaborative Efforts:

    • Worked with iSchool graduate Greg Bem during Bem’s fieldwork in Cambodia, showcasing Net’s influence and connections within the library field.

    • Fostered opportunities for international collaboration and exchange of ideas in librarianship.

Personal Background and Challenges

  • Early Life:

    • Net was found as a malnourished infant in the jungle by a family fleeing to escape violence.

    • Lived through challenging conditions in refugee camps, which impacted his education.

    • Emphasized a return to schooling under difficult circumstances, demonstrating resilience and determination.

    • After the war, moved in with monks to continue education despite not being able to complete high school on the first attempt.

  • Support from Others:

    • A chance acquaintance helped fund Net's education in the later stages of his life, demonstrating the importance of community support in education and development.

  • Challenges of Professional Life:

    • Commutes long hours to work six days a week.

    • Balances professional obligations with family life, expressing a desire for more time with his children, often arriving home late.

    • Quote: “There is a lot of work that needs to be done.”

Historical references to Libraries in Cambodia

  • Historical Significance:

    • Libraries were historically integral to Cambodian society, particularly noted at Angkor Wat, where they were part of temple structures.

    • The Khmer Rouge's regime saw the destruction of much of the educational and intellectual infrastructure, which severely hindered the development of library culture in Cambodia.

  • Current Challenges:

    • Limited understanding and appreciation of libraries among the general population due to historical events that erased the previous cultural significance.

    • The aftermath of the Khmer Rouge era left only about 40,000 books intact out of hundreds of thousands, representing a significant loss of knowledge and cultural history.

    • Intellectuals were targeted during the regime, leading to further scarcity of knowledge creation and dissemination.