Speaker:
Songphan Choemprayong
Title:
Cataloging the Unknown: Exploring the Complexities of Managing Thai Materials in Japan
Abstract:
Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and knowledge finds a fascinating second home in the collections of Japanese libraries. These libraries house a diverse landscape of Thai materials, some rare and unique, offering a treasure trove for scholars and enthusiasts. However, accessing and managing these materials presents unique challenges beyond geographical distance, impacting not only researchers but also the broader understanding of Thai culture.
In this presentation, I will delve into the complexities of managing Thai materials in Japanese libraries, adopting a theoretical, practical, and critical lens to navigate through them. We’ll start by mapping the landscape, uncovering the breadth and depth of Thai materials currently housed and managed by Japanese libraries. This exploration will reveal the practical challenges encountered in cataloging, preserving, and providing access to these resources, offering insights into the tangible difficulties libraries face. Further, we’ll examine the impact of these challenges on scholars’ ability to conduct research on Thailand and Southeast Asia, highlighting the significance of access to such materials for academic inquiry. Moving forward, we’ll chart the future by critically exploring potential solutions to improve access and discovery of Thai materials outside of Thailand. This timely discussion transcends national boundaries to address the broader social and ethical dimensions of knowledge access in a globalized world. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration that promises to enrich your understanding of Thai cultural heritage and its accessibility in the 21st century, highlighting the multifaceted challenges faced by Thai collections and the importance of overcoming these obstacles for the advancement of global scholarship.
Short Bio:
Songphan Choemprayong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He currently holds a visiting research fellowship at Kyoto University’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Dr. Choemprayong’s research investigates social justice in information practices, scholarly communication, digital humanities, evidence-based information practice, and human-information interaction.
