The Thai Library Association, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, organized an award ceremony to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the library profession. This was to give recognition and present certificates of honor for the year 2023, during the annual general meeting of 2023. On this occasion, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) received the award as the Organization Contributing to the Library Profession and Library and Information Science Education in 2023. The ceremony took place on 28 March 2024 at the Prince Palace Hotel, Bangkok.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) has continuously placed great importance on the library profession and library and information science education, as follows:
1) In Distance Education in Information Science, STOU supports the provision of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degree programs under the supervision of the School of Liberal Arts in Information Science.
2) In Library Management, STOU has regularly allocated budgets for the development of the Office of Documentation and Information, from its earlier status as the Documentation and Information Center until it became the present Office of Documentation and Information in 1986. This includes the Library and Learning Resources Center Building Project, which is a prototypical library building with modern engineering, energy conservation, advanced building technologies, and readiness to serve as a lifelong learning center with various areas such as learning spaces, library service areas, teaching and learning areas, and areas showcasing the university’s historical development and identity. Within this building are sections dedicated to university archives and identity information services, such as the Royal Parental Education Information, Distance Education Information, and Nonthaburi Studies, as well as a permanent exhibition titled “Sukhothai Thammathirat Nitat.”
3) In Information Resources Development and Library Personnel Development, STOU has allocated budgets for the acquisition of information resources for services and personnel development in terms of knowledge, skills, and experience.
4) In Partnerships and Networks, STOU has provided course materials to partners according to cooperation agreements, such as with the Department of Corrections and the Office of Non-Formal Education.
5) In Promoting the University’s Identity, STOU has allocated budgets and developed initiatives to become a model organization in the information that reflects its identity, reveres the monarchy, and establishes museums.
6) In Local Academic Services for Nonthaburi, STOU has promoted itself as a learning resource center for local information in Nonthaburi province by accepting donated objects and pottery from private museums, thus preserving the national heritage through the university’s efforts.
