Library Service
Background
The Hun Sen Library (HSL), Royal University of Phnom Penh, was opened on the 7th of January 1997 by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Funding for the building, the furniture and fittings was supplied by Samdech Hun Sen and some furniture and fittings were provided by donors from Europe, the United States and Japan. In late 2011, with financial support from the World Bank and the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, the Hun Sen Library began providing services in the new prize-winning HSL extension building, which is fully integrated with the original building. This is another step in the provision of excellent library facilities at the RUPP. The HSL now has a total floor area of 4,160 sq. meters, and has seating for 500 users at one time. The Library is equipped with modern facilities and an attractive and comfortable environment for library users seeking information and knowledge. As of 2012, HSL has a collection of more than 100,000 volumes in Khmer, English and French, and some volumes in Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese, as well as smaller collections of videos, audio cassettes, CDs/DVDs and electronic resources. The HSL has a full-time staff of 23, including two foreign assistants. Almost 800 students use the library each day.
Admission
To meet the research and information needs of RUPP students and faculty members.
To serve the broader education of community and the general public.
provide orientation programs for RUPP foundation year students.
To provide training in librarianship for Library staff from NGOs and government bodies.
Partners
The library currently has approximately 67,000 books, roughly 62% of which are in English , 22% in Khmer, 15% in French, and the remainder in Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai. There are an extensive reference collection, a reserve collection and a loans collection. The library has amassed 270 serial titles, including 47 regular titles as well as a small video, audio cassette and CD-ROM collection.
The Hun Sen Library is developing a special reference collection, the Cambodiana Collection, which currently houses 1810 items relating to Cambodian history, literature and culture. The collection includes manuscripts on palm leaves, Tripitaka, Kampuchea Soriya Periodicals, the Speeches of King Norodom Sihanouk, copies of the Royal Administration Bulletin and UNTAC election documents, among other holdings.
The Library provides Internet and email access for a small fee. There is also a photocopy service and an air-conditioned room with audio-visual facilities available on request for educational purposes.
The Library’s collection is catalogued in the Chuon Nat Online Public Access Catalog, available at Web OPAC
Chuon Nat — Online Public Access Catalog
The library’s computerized catalogue can be searched from the WebOPAC terminals. The system is named after Samdach Sang Reach Chuon Nat, a Buddist monk who not only composed Cambodia’s national anthem, but also compiled the first Khmer language dictionary.
Computer and Internet Services
Users can use specially designated Library computers for Internet and e-mail access, or word processing and printing for a small fee.
Wi-Fi Internet
Students will be able to use Internet and search book catalogues in the library from their laptops using Wi-Fi in the near future.
Training Facilities
HSL has three training rooms. Of these, one is equipped with a Trainer PC, 30 student PCs, a data projector, and whiteboard; the second has seating for 80, a data projector and whiteboard. All three facilities are used for library orientation classes for foundation year students and other training programs and may also be available on request for use for educational purposes.
Membership
Membership of the library is open to all. As a member, one is entitled to use the facilities of the library and to borrow 2 books at a time for a period of 2 weeks. Books not in demand may be renewed for another 2 weeks. Anyone wishing to join the Library needs to complete a registration form, have your photo taken at the Library and pay the appropriate membership fee.
The fees are as follows:
- Student & Faculty member of RUPP……………….R 12,000
- Foreigner teacher of RUPP……………………………..R 20,000
- Student of high schools ………………………………….R 12,000
- Student of other universities……………………………R 20,000
- Local government institutions/NGOs………………R 20,000
- Foreigner………………………………………………………..R 20,000
In some cases for non-RUPP students, a refundable deposit is required to borrow certain items. Items returned late incur a fine of 500 Riel each day for each overdue item.
Introduction
All Collections in the Hun Sen Library are available to all library users who seek knowledge and information. Taking this into consideration, PLEASE:
- Handle books with care
- Do not damages books by writing, highlighting, cutting, folding, or tearing pages.
- Do not steal any book from the library.
Future Plan
- To enhance the technical knowledge of staff librarians.
- To find support for the continued development of the library.
- To continue to improve services for users.
Other Libraries
A Lamberto Spina Library, RUPP Campus II
A Lamberto Spina Library was constructed under the donation of Associazione Cultural Studi Asiatic, “ACSA”. Most of the budget is from the Dr. Donato Spina’s family. The library was officially inaugurated on April 29, 2008 for the students and lectures of RUPP, Campus II. Currently, the library accommodates 7 404 books, among those more than 1 000books are from Cambogia Libri-Cambodia Books Association, Italy. Most of the books are in Social Science field such as Sociology, History, Philosophy and Social Work.
Departmental Libraries
Finally, many departments within the Royal University of Phnom Penh own and manage their own, specialized libraries. These specialized libraries, such as those in the Departments of English, French, Psychology, Tourism and Environmental Science, are available for use by staff and students within the relevant department. Access can be gained by appointment with the individual departments.