TU opens a high-tech library
By Wasita Cespedes
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
As part of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Thammasat University, the founding date of June 26 was chosen as the grand opening day for the university’s new Digital Library.
Developed from the old Pridi Banomyong Library, the Digital Library is equipped with cutting edge technology such as the Koha search system configured to suit the university’s students, the WorldShare Interlibrary Loan system, which allows users to borrow books from more than 72,000 libraries globally, and the MyCat system, which can detect plagiarism.
The library is acclaimed for its abundant social science resources. It also features rooms which hold noteworthy collections of venerable historical and educational figures.
PRIDI BANOMYONG MEMORIAL ROOM
Pridi Banomyong was a politician, prime minister and statesman of Thailand. He founded Thammasat University as an open university in 1934. His memorial room presents his works and personal history. Famous artist Thepsiri Suksopha also sketched a biographical illustration of Pridi as a gift to the university.
PUEY’S CORNER
With a collection of Thai and foreign language materials, this corner of the library provides knowledge of Southeast Asian and ASEAN nations. It also features information about Puey Ungpakorn, a famous Thai economist and a rector of Thammasat University in the late 1970s.
CHARNVIT KASETSIRI ROOM
This room is named after Dr Charnvit Kasetsiri, who was a rector of the university from 1994 to 1995 and a prominent expert on history and social sciences. He is currently the head of Thammasat’s Faculty of Liberal Arts’ Southeast Asian Studies programme. The room features books, reading corners and history of Dr. Charnvit.
REWAT BUDDHINAN ROOM
Rewat Buddhinan, also known as Ter Rewat, was an influential figure in the Thai music industry. He founded GMM Grammy and is considered to have revolutionised pop music in Thailand. This room was granted by the Rewat Buddhinan Foundation and GMM Grammy to serve as a memorial for Ter Rewat. The room provides various musical resources for students and library visitors.
Vocabulary
- found (v): to start something such as an organisation, an institution, etc.
cutting edge (adj): the newest, most advanced stage in the development of something
configure (v): to make equipment or software work in the way that the user prefers
plagiarism (n): the act of copying another person’s ideas, work or words and pretending that they are your own
abundant (adj): existing in large quantities
venerable (adj): deserving respect because of being old, important, wise, etc.
rector (n): a person who is in charge of a university, college or school
revolutionise (v): to completely change the way that something is done
