TK park launches TK Public Online Library

TK park launches “TK Public Online Library”
The first of its kind in Thailand!, offering 7,000 e-books and digital materials to keep up with digital learning trends

Thailand Knowledge Park (TK park) launched “TK Public Online Library”, the  first of its kind in Thailand, on 1 September 2015 at 1.30 p.m. on the 8th floor of Central World.

Mr. Araya Ma-Inn, Vice President of the Office of Knowledge Management and Development and Acting Director-General of Thailand Knowledge Park, revealed that TK Public Online Library is a pilot project to develop media and e-books management system that will uplift the library services to the next level. As Thailand and the world are entering into the digital era in which knowledge will be digital-based, the online library will increase learning opportunities for a wider group of people by providing access to a large number of e-books and digital media. By transforming the existing resources into a digital library, TK park has made progress in promoting reading habit in a manner that fits suitably with modern society.

“TK Public Online Library offers learning opportunities through digital channel. Our resources cover more than 7,000 e-books, audio books, videos and various digital media. The content is available through four databases, namely the TK Online Library, 2eBook, OverDrive and Press Reader, making us the largest online library in Thailand.

This pilot project was launched in 2007, starting from introducing a 2eBook service for our members. The digital infrastructure then was not very good but we kept developing and polishing this project. Until 2013, we have cooperated with leading publishers namely Amarin, Nation Books, Matichon, Nanmee and Plan for Kids. That was when the digital library was officially originated. Regarding the database system, we joined hands with OoKbee to deliver e-books and audio books services to our users.”, said Mr. Araya.

Apart from Thai content, TK Public Online Library also provides English language database on OverDrive which covers 1,685 ebooks, audio books and streaming videos. Press Reader database also offers more than 4,000 newspapers and magazines from all over the world in 30 different  languages.

“Our mission is to promote reading and learning habits by creating a learning society in Thailand. We believe that learning can happen in any place at any time. TK Public Online Library will generate freedom and equality of learning opportunity for everyone through online access. With the new digital library, we will be able to keep up with the world’s trend in which more people turn to read and seek knowledge online. Moreover, digital literacy has become a necessary skill for the 21st century. It is important for learning process development which will lead to many benefits such as research opportunities, knowledge accumulation, lifelong learning and knowledge extension, all of which will firmly establish Thailand a truly learning society.”

TK Public Online Library is now available for Windows and Mac. The applications are available for free download in both iOS and Androids format. Members of the public can apply for free membership via www.tkpark.or.th.