Assessing community managed library (CML) in supporting rural community development / Wan Fadzli Wan Haron

Community Managed Library (CML) is a library of new era operated solely by community and used by the community. CML is run by volunteers but at some places paid by the council. CML is funded by the council but still be in the network of public libraries. In theory, CML aims to create a sense of community hub and to provide free access to materials and services that improve minds, enrich lives, and fulfil cultural, civic, educational, and recreational needs of its community members. Currently in Malaysia, CML does exist. However, these CML are under used, short in supply and very unpopular. In fact, CML in Malaysia is being side line in terms of its impact and benefits to the local community development. This research has been carried out based on the case study method using the mix-method approach with quantitative and qualitative approach. The research aims to examine community member's awareness of CML development concepts, to investigate the extent of how far a CML supports local rural community development, to determine suitable CML activities and programs to support community development efforts and to propose a new framework of a Malaysian CML. The research found that the community member's awareness of CML development concept is at a low level. The programs and activities such as cooking courses, information and communication technology (ICT), entrepreneurship, leadership courses, sewing courses and personality enhancement courses was identified to enhance rural community development. A framework for Malaysian CML was developed and recommended. The framework also been tested during intervention.