Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is threefold; first, to study the problems in the organization, administration and services of scientific and technological libraries in Thailand, secondly, to suggest suitable solutions to those problems; and thirdly, to promote co-operation among the libraries so that researchers can get full advantages from them. The methods used in this research are: (1) documentary research through books, periodicals and other printed materials concerning scientific and technological libraries both in Thai and in foreign languages, (2) survey by sending questionnaires to fifty-one scientific and technological libraries; all questionnaires returned, (3) interviews with librarians and people concerned with the administration of scientific and technological libraries. Research results are as follows: Scientific and technological libraries in Thailand are under six different organizations: universities, government offices, documentation centers, government enterprises, business corporations and international organizations. The status of almost all scientific and technological libraries is equivalent to a section which causes many problems. Of these libraries, 68.63 per cent do not receive sufficient budget which results in a lack of library staff, facilities and library collection. Only 9.8 per cent have their own buildings. The rest are installed in their mother institution building. Besides, 64.71 per cent are short of library equipment; for example, they do not have enough bookshelves and seats. As for services, 88.24 per cent can provide reference service; 64.71 per cent have interlibrary loan service, and 3.92 per cent have translation service. Only circulation service is rendered in most libraries. 45.10 per cent are available exclusively to people who work in that particular organization. Only 17.65 per cent give services to the general public as well. Documentation centers meet with less problems. The Thai National Documentation Center has adequate books and other printed materials for the use of scientists, researchers and the general public. This center offers various special services, such as translation, document procurement, and bibliographic service. As for university libraries, there is no problem in buildings and location, However, in most faculty libraries, lecturers act as librarians along with their teaching, consequently they cannot be devoted to the library. The government enterprise libraries and business corporation libraries do not have financial problems but they do not have suitable locations. Government office libraries have problems in budget, library staff and library collection. Scientific and technological libraries in Thailand face both technical and service problems because they are not independent units. Moreover, their isolation results in little cooperating among them. Suggested solutions are: (1) A scientific and technological library should be an independent unit working directly under high-level administration. A governmental department library should have the status of a division. When a library has a higher status, the budget and the library staff will increase accordingly which will enable the library to be more efficient. (2) The library should be in a suitable location. Library facilities should be amply provided. (3) Scientific and technological libraries should co-operate among themselves to improve their services and other technical processes. For example, libraries specializing in certain subjects should have the following services: union-cataloging, indexing and interlibrary loan. (4) A scientific and technological library association should be set up as the co-operation center for all scientific and technological libraries. (5) There should be legislation to grant all these libraries legal standing and funds. (6) The library standard should be readjusted to suit the present condition and to be the standard for improving scientific and technological libraries in the future.