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TK Park:: Thailand's living library
In sharp contrast to many modern libraries well-equipped with sophisticated information technology, the Thailand Knowledge Park â also known as the TK Park â begs to differ
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n sharp contrast to many modern libraries well-equipped with sophisticated information technology, the Thailand Knowledge Park ' also known as the TK Park ' begs to differ.
The library does not only serve library-goers with e-books and other digitally accessible books, but it is also a safe haven for people from all walks of life wishing to pamper themselves with an assortment of entertainment: a playground, a teen shopping center and a coffee corner.
The 4,000-square-meter library designed by four architects from around the world is open for all people of different nationalities.
Unlike many traditional libraries often filled with a solemn atmosphere, the TK Park has the so-called Living Library ' a place of comfort with a friendly atmosphere ' where visitors can enjoy reading a collection of more than 30,000 titles while lying down in cozy corners known as the Book Wall.
Far from creating an academic ambiance, the TK Living Library is designed to liven up the creativity and imagination of visitors and to explore a new world of learning opportunities.
A special section called the Quiet Nook is reserved for those who are fond of researching. Equipped with more than 800 reference books and computer workstations, this section is certainly a suitable place for quenching one's thirst for scientific knowledge.
Other special sections are the Music Library and the Children's Library. In the Music Library, music lovers can explore their talents and interests either by reading books and singing, of by making use of the electronic musical instruments and music education games.
The joy of reading adventures for children with fun and pleasant activities like storytelling and speech contests and interesting educational events such as the Pool of Knowledge, the Honeycomb Ladder and the Tree House can be felt in the Children's Library.
Located at the Central World, Level 8, Dazzle Zone Bangkok, the TK Park was established in 2006, the era when former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was in power.
Within the purview of the Office of Knowledge Management and Development in the prime minister's office, the TK Park was initially founded with the aim of inculcating a love of reading in Thai children and youth, as well as in members of the public.
Yet, as a response to the diverse needs of some 1.5 million Thai enthusiasts, the Thai government made a significant breakthrough by promoting the TK Park as a knowledge magnet, a learning center that encourages a knowledge-based society and campaigns for the thirst of higher intellectual inquisitiveness.
For this reason, the TK Park expanded its space from simply providing people with access to different types of libraries to providing them with the Open Square, a 200-square-meter area where children and youth can unleash their creativity, unearth their talents or potentials and socialize with others.
A mini theater and a learning auditorium also provide venues for encouraging learning activities, discussions, interactive seminars, knowledge sharing, cultural exhibitions, IT workshops and training centers.
These venues also serve as creative learning places where young people are given the opportunity to exhibit their talents and to display their creative knowledge.
In essence, every space in the TK Park is a creative learning space for every visitor. One can also read and learn even at the café corner while enjoying fresh beverages and snacks.
TK Park's deputy director general, Chiadchatchome Paripon, said that apart from the Thai governments' efforts to promote the love of reading, the expansion of the TK Park from libraries to other learning centers was motivated by the philosophy of 'the never-ending power of the human mind'.
Paripon said that books alone are insufficient to realize this philosophy and they need be complimented with music, useful educational activities and multimedia.
The idea of creating a learning center through the TK Park was in fact inspired by the world's learning centers, such as the BPI Public Information Library, Pomidou Center in France, Library Learning Information in the UK, Sendai Mediatheque in Japan and Jurong Regional Library and Library@Orchard in Singapore.
However, as these centers need be adapted to suit the Thai context, the TK Park was established as a prototype of a public living library that functions more than just by serving people with literacy skills and promoting reading habits to the Thai society. And it serves them well.
