THE comments by S. Leong of Ampang (”Do not neglect the source of knowledge” - NST, Jan 28) show the level of commitment (or rather the lack of it) of personnel charged with the task of managing our public libraries.

This would not contribute positively to the government’s efforts to promote the reading habit among the populace and create a culture of lifelong learning.

The sorry state of affairs in our public libraries can be overcome if librarians themselves are passionate about reading and are fully committed to promoting the reading habit.

I am sure if the right people are given the right training in library science and management, they can do a good job of making public libraries the preferred place for reading and seeking information.

Librarians can be given further exposure by sending them to countries which have an efficient and effective public library system.

For this, we need not go far - just across the Causeway down south.

There, even at the community centres, the libraries are very well-managed and the staff well-trained and knowledgeable. Libraries are also equipped with a state-of-the-art e-system which makes transactions like searching for a specific title or author and borrowing and returning books done in, literally, minutes.

What we need here is a genuine desire to improve and the commitment to see things through.

TAM YONG YUEE, Muar

Source: NST – January 30, 2008