About Research

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— Are there any specific habits or work routines you follow?

My personal work routines are quite simple: I focus on specific goals and plan accordingly, I love the job, and I always maintain a positive outlook.  

When a mission is assigned, we normally need to make sure we understand the purpose well and seek a common understanding from colleagues before planning and seeking approvals if necessary. This step seems very easy and normal; however, it requires involvement from everyone concerned and significant effort in communication and coordination. Once this part is achieved, there is little to worry about; we follow the work schedules, and when other tasks suddenly emerge, we adjust as we need to. I sometimes list urgent tasks that come up so as not to forget them in the moment.

Personally, I believe that to be more productive and effective at work, loving the job we do and understanding the value of what we are doing are crucial. Naturally, people often change jobs when opportunities arise, for reasons of salary increase or career development. But some people may stay in the same position for their entire professional career because they obviously love their job and feel valued. In my case, I could earn more money by working for a private company or an NGO, but I have decided to stay with the APSARA National Authority because I believe that my minor contribution to the preservation of Angkor is making a positive change in the development of my country.

Thinking positively is a key to maintaining my mental health in any situation. As a Buddhist practitioner, I believe in the natural law of Karma, or the cause and effect of good and bad deeds, so whenever I face difficulties in my life, personal or professional, I tell myself not to panic, to be patient, to keep being myself, and that there is always a good way out. Sometimes, I simply accept the situation, deal with it, and take it as an opportunity to learn and improve.  

Research Inspiration

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— Is there a specific moment or event that made you decide to enter this field?

I began my professional life in 2004, teaching French at a high school. I then worked in the field of tourism and cultural development for 15 years. These experiences were all related to the management of cultural heritage and helped build my capacity in many ways, including in the ability to create and implement development plans in a sustainable way. After several years at APSARA, I was transferred to manage the organization’s library and archives following an internal restructuring.

At the beginning, I found the task not as meaningful as my previous one because it seemed to be a routine job of cataloging and classifying books and organizing collections. I remember my first week in the APSARA library and archives, looking at what had been done and the resources available. I suddenly asked myself what initiatives I should take to make improvements. Then, I took my first step by creating a 10-year practical action plan. I started by looking at existing frameworks, assessing the current state of the library and archives, doing a SWOT analysis, and proposing short, medium, and long-term action plans in consultation with my colleagues. Since then, I have gradually found this field very interesting due to its vital role in providing information and resources for academic pursuits, research, and planning, as well as its role in valuing and preserving historical and cultural records. Arranging documents in collections surely facilitates documentation of relevant topics for further plans and research studies.

I am naturally quite curious and enjoy reading books and documents, especially when they are related to history, culture, arts, and new research findings. This curiosity led me to search for documents on Angkor in both physical and digital formats to enrich our archives. I also began collecting and compiling documents on specific topics. For example, I compiled the  “documentation on Angkor Archaeological Park and associated sites of Roluos and Banteay Srei from WHC’s decisions & inter-governmental conferences on Angkor from 1992-present.” Through these activities, I keep learning and remain updated.

This interdisciplinary field requires good collaboration as well as technical and outreach skills. These create opportunities for ongoing professional development, which is why I continue to join seminars, workshops, and training courses on libraries and archives. This fellowship at CSEAS is the most rewarding to date.

Societal Impact

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— How do you envision your research being utilized, developed, and contributing to society in the long term?

First, cataloging and classifying materials, including books, journals, and reports, in a suitable database management system allows users to effectively search, locate, and access specific information needed. Second, when resources are well managed, it can save time and facilitate research work in a friendly environment. By cataloging books, manuscripts, and publications in the Khmer language, I hope my small contribution to the CSEAS Library will enable wider access for future research about Cambodia. I strongly believe that the outcomes of my work will also enrich the APSARA Archives, and what I learn will be shared with my Khmer librarian colleagues for better development and management of our library and archives.

In the long term, preserving and archiving historical and cultural records as well as other materials will contribute to the preservation of information and history, fostering education and literacy, and promoting social well-being for future generations.

Life Beyond Research

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— What was the most difficult moment or challenge in your life, and how did you overcome it?

I have no background in library and information science, nor in archives work. In switching to this field, the main challenges were to familiarize myself with the new job and the work environment as quickly as possible and to seek training and exchanges. Via daily practice, readings, and networking, the task becomes progressively easier. My principle is to never abandon, take the first step, return if necessary, and try harder.

Family and friends’ support is also a precious key to overcoming difficult moments. I am blessed to be surrounded by close and good people who are always ready to listen and give advice at the right time.

Advice for the Next Generation

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— What advice or tips would you give to younger scholars or young people interested in pursuing a career in your field or in becoming a researcher?

If someone decides to work in the library and archives field, I personally advise having an academic background in library and information science to acquire knowledge and practical experience in the digital era. Of course, it is not mandatory, but it is obviously useful. If, like me, they do not have this background, I advise them to keep searching for training and exchange programs related to the field. As we always say, it is never too late to learn and explore. Last but not least, be curious, read, listen to seniors, and seize opportunities when they are available.

Looking Ahead

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— What is your vision for the future of your field?

Easy and friendly access to reliable resources. A comprehensive catalog of physical materials will always be helpful to locate and filter relevant materials needed for research purposes; making digital-born materials accessible for the community will foster good communication and collaboration; and evolving the library as a core community space of education and social interaction where people enjoy reading, researching, and socializing.

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in French literature in 2004, Mrs. OUM Marady worked as a French teacher for two years before joining the APSARA National Authority in the field of tourism and cultural development. APSARA is in charge of the management of the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap, Cambodia. In 2014, she was promoted to deputy director of APSARA’s tourism department. Since 2020, she has been managing the APSARA library and archives, collecting and cataloging official research and conservation project documents as a deputy director of APSARA’s research, training, and communication department. Throughout her past 20 years of contribution to the management of the Angkor site, she has joined professional capacity building programs, including the “GMS training-of-trainers workshop on cultural tourism sites management and guiding” by Unescap-Unesco in Cambodia in 2008, “Historical Site Management and Valorization” workshop in France in 2010 and 2014, the “Angkor Heritage Management Framework (HMF)” training by Godden Mackay Logan Pty., Ltd. (Australia) from 2011 to 2013, and the online Sustainable Heritage Management Foundation Course by UNESCO Bangkok in 2020 and 2021. Joining CSEAS from September to February 2026 as a Visiting Research Scholar is another meaningful pathway in her career development in library and archives management.