The Operations of Songkhla Provincial Public Library Based on Governmental Measures to Be Ready for the Era of Aging Society

Abstract

Thai society has extremely given an importance to the elderly; therefore, both government and private sectors in Thailand provide measures and operations to serve their needs and be prepared for the Aging Society. Public library is an organization playing direct important roles in enhancing people’s lifelong learning. Songkhla province also provides a provincial public library that is the biggest public library in the south of Thailand with high potential for giving services to the people. This public library continuously obtained a lot of national awards. Most importantly, because of the services given to both general people and the elderly, Songkhla Provincial Public Library is acknowledged by several regional and national organizations. This article presents guidelines for librarian, government organizations and stakeholders, who are interested in using management and administration of this public library as a developmental model in their libraries in terms of building management, personnel management and arrangement of services and activities to serve the needs of the elderly more effectively.