In the age of globalization and information technology, National Library of Thailand emphasizes its functions on collecting, organizing and preserving national intellectual property heritage of all kinds, e.g. ancient manuscripts, printed materials, audio-visual materials for rendering services of study and research for public all over Thailand.  Besides, National Library of Thailand also serves as Information Network Center, at the same time, co-operates both national and international level with government and other private agencies to achieve the goals of the institute.

Administrational System of National Library
National Library comprises the main library in Bangkok and seventeen library branches in fifteen provinces through out the country.  There are four groups, one center and one section in the main library namely:

•  Reference and Research Services Group
•  Audio-Visual Materials and Library Activities Group
•  Manuscription and Inscription Group
•  Library Resource Development Group
•  Library Information Centre
•  General administration Section

Annual main implemented activities
National Library was fortunately allocated 21,571,800 baht from "SAL" (Situational Adjustment Loan) to launch the project of developing National Library to be the institute of lifelong learning.

The objectives of the project are as follows:

• To hire private agency collecting information through serial publications, newspapers, rare book and other significant records.
• To hire private agency collecting information through ancient manuscripts and inscriptions.
• To hire private agency collecting information through microforms (microfilms, films and microjackets)
• To hire private agency transforming audio-visual information.
• To purchase computer hardwares for electronic library.
• To hire for developing copyright programs of electronic library system and launching efficiently retrieving of information and photos via website.

Furthermore, the Reading Service Group was financed the fiscal budget of 3,300,000 baht for the renovation of  "Phra  Monkut  Krao  Rare  Book  Room." It was the result of the Royal visit of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chackri Sirindhorn on 30th September 1992. She appreciated all precious rare books as being the royal properties of several Kings of Chackri Dynasty: King Rama V, King Rama VI, King Rama VII and some educated royal families.  The books were conferred to "The Vajiranana Library" situated in the Royal Palace then. Aged 50-150 years, they are abundant in terms of history, politic, and could be regarded as the valuable resource of development of language and printing. H.R.H Princess Maha Chackri Sirindhorn cited that "All these rare books are great intellectual properties of national heritages as they are absolutely frangible, damaged and in deteriorated condition. National Library, therefore, takes intensive action to conserve by getting them duplicated in order to preserve the originals, then, has them got ready for public study and research." Consequently, National Library determined to attain her royal citation by setting up the budget of 2003 fiscal year and planned the conservation project which is now partly completed.
 

H.R.H. Princess Maha Chackri Sirindhorn was concentrating on the precious Thai ancient manuscripts during Her Royal visit on 30th September 1992.

Audio-Visual Materials and Library Activities Group has carried out several activities by producing, collecting both informed and entertained audio-visual items so that the users' need is met. Thus, informative and attractive exhibitions were organized in various occasions as followings:

• The exhibition entitled "Tai Rom Phra Bharami" (Being under the royal benevolence of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn) for commemorating on the occasion of UNESCO awarded this Majesty the prize of Great Personalities on 20 September 2003 for the 150th anniversary of His Majesty's birth in recognition of his work in the fields of education, culture, social sciences, humanities, social development and communication.
• The exhibition on the occasion of the conservation of Thai Cultural Heritage Day under the theme of "Moradok Lum Kha Bon Pheun Pha Thai" (The unique heritage on Thai Textiles)
• The exhibition on the subject of  "Mom Luang Pin Malakul: Phu  Mee  Khu  Nu  Pa  Kan  Toe  Prataite  Chart." The exhibition was organized on the occasion of UNESCO awarded the prize of Great Personalities to Mom Luang Pin Malakul on 24th October 2003, for the 100th anniversary of his birth to recognize his contribution to education culture, literature and communication.

The exhibition entitled "Tai Rom Phra Bharami (Being under the Royal benevolence of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn)"

As educational and cultural institute, the National Library plays an important role to enhance the local community to participate in conservation and preservation ancient Thai manuscripts, thus, Manuscription and Inscription Group co-operated with Ratchamangkhalaphisek National Library Branch, Chantha Buri carrying out the plan instilling the fundamental   knowledge and skill in preserving and conserving Thai ancient manuscript to the indigenious interested persons. The project would be consequently managed among the 4 regional parts of Thailand by the  next  fiscal  year.

As the matter of fact that the ancient Thai traditional books are vital ancient resource for educational research, thus, the Manuscription and inscription group were also funded to launch five-year project for rendering Thai ancient manuscript CD-ROM access services. Firstly, 13,000 of palm-leaf manuscripts, 3,000 of black and white paper manuscripts as well as 420 photographs of inscriptions were scanned into digital library database in the form of CD-ROM.
 
 

Indigenous monks were concentratedly learning to preserve Thai ancient manuscripts at Ratchamangkhalaphisek National Library brance, Chantha Buri.

 

Many indigenous interested person participated in preserving Thai manuscripts program implemented by Manuscript and Inscription Group co-operated with Ratchamangkhalaphisek National Library Branch, Chantha Buri.

For the auspicious occasion of the Royal commemorating the sixth-cycle (72nd birthday) of H.M. Queen Sirikit on 12th August 2005, the National Library of Thailand prepares to publish two attractive and informative books namely:

• Nang Sue Samut Thai Tri Phum Chabaap Aksorn Thum Lanna Lae Aksorn Khom  (The Story of the Three Planes of Existence)

It is a unique Thai spiritual art workbook from the originals with plenty of unique ancient Thai scripts.
 
• Nang Sue Pramuan Bunnanukrom Lae Sarasungkhep thee kiew kap Somdej Phra Nang Chao Phra Borom Rachininat (The bibliography and abstracts of the publications related to H.M Queen Sirikit)

It is an informative collection complied from various publications in order to disseminate her royal projects and royal dedicated activities to the nation for the purpose of research and educational benefit to the public at large.

The National Library of Thailand realizes its duties to take responsibilities as the center of lifelong learning. Hence, the projects of developing information technology are set in accordance with the growth of readers and researchers. There has been the library networking and exchange of publications among worldwide libraries and information centers since 1979. At the same time, the tasks of conservation and preservation of precious Thai ancient manuscripts are going on to maintain our invaluable intellectual heritages of the nation, as they are significant historical evidences for young generation, and to follow the Royal determination of the Founder of the National Library -- the beloved King Chulalongkorn -- who commanded 99 years ago to develop the National Library as the center of research and study for Thai people all walks of life.