Bangkok--14 Nov--Hill & Knowlton
Microsoft (Thailand) Limited and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) today offered the press a sneak preview of the specially renovated Lumpini Library prior to the grand opening by HRH Princess Sirindhorn. The Lumpini Library will be the first BMA library to be equipped with IT facility and the Digital Literacy program from Microsoft.
The renovation of Lumpini Library was first initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn since the Lumpini Library is the only public library with a section dedicated to house her rare book collection. The recent renovation is the first of its kind since the establishment of the library in 1955. In 2005, Mr. Craig Mundie, Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft Corporation visited and discussed with HRH Sirindhorn and offered Microsoft’s support to the renovation of Lumpini Library.
“ The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has a strong vision to develop Bangkok as a city of knowledge,” said Apirak Kosayotin, the BMA Governor. “Our aim is to provide the public and community with as wide an access to knowledge and information as possible.”
The renovated Lumpini Library will consist of four zones: Information, Kids Zone, Silent Zone and Cyber Zone. Search systems range from manual and card systems to more sophisticated computerized methods.
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With the planned renovation of the Lumpini Library by the BMA, Microsoft took the opportunity to offer support by providing a special IT “Cyber Zone” to allow the general public to have easy access to digital communications and the opportunity to access the wealth of knowledge an the web.
Microsoft’s contributed both Hardware and Software, including 22 PCs, one notebook, two LCD screen television, five sets of Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, Software licenses for 23 computers, eight courses of Unlimited Potential Community Learning Curriculum, leading design consultation, and, importantly, the installation of Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007.
“The public library is traditionally a source of knowledge on a wide variety of topics and available to any interested persons,” said Andrew McBean, managing director of Microsoft (Thailand) Limited. “We have applied the concept of ‘School of the Future’ to our vision of the new public library which functions outside the formal education system as a valuable source of learning.”
The study room inside the ‘Cyber Zone’ will provide a self - learning ICT facility for the public. Users can access the Digital Literacy program that will encourage people to learn ICT skills. The Lumpini Library will thus serve as a model for future digital public libraries across the
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country. The Unlimited Potential Community Learning Curriculum is intended to be a resource to support community learning and to enable individuals to acquire the skills to use technology effectively to help themselves and their communities. Microsoft seeks to use technology training to create social and economic opportunities that can change lives, transform communities and strengthen local economies.
“The Digital Literacy program is an inspiring idea and will no doubt, encourage a whole new generation of computer users,” added the BMA Governor.
To extend opportunities for off-line learning, Microsoft is also providing its Digital Literacy Program in CD Rom format for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to distribute to 53 public libraries and 153 schools under the BMA supervision. If anyone would like to start an e-Learning program, they can access the Digital Literacy program which is already available today at www.microsoft.com/thailand/e-learning
“We not only provide the public with IT access but we also protect them, especially the children, by offering a parental controls feature which will be available in the Vista Operating System once the program is installed in the computer at the library. The program will allow librarians to ensure that youth who use the computers will access appropriate content,” added Mr. McBean
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A workshop and hands on program on parental control will be organized and conducted at the library after Microsoft Windows Vista is installed in the library. They will also be amongst the first users who experience the new version of Microsoft Windows.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited provides world-class software that is easy to use and localized to suit the local market’s needs. It also has a compelling and consistent platform to build powerful business solutions that can scale from a notebook computer to a mainframe — class multiprocessor systems using Microsoft technology. For further information, information, please visit the Microsoft (Thailand) website at: http://www.microsoft.com/thailand .
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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For further information please contact:
Suphada Jaidee
Hill & Knowlton Thailand
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