It is not a library housed in a bus, nor is it moved around on four wheels. The Travelling Books is one among a number of outreach libraries fashioned to reach children in disadvantaged situations who may not, otherwise, know the joy and enlightenment books can bring to their lives. The Central Library of Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok was provided with seed money to get the project moving. Schools in deprived areas, where no library room exists are the destinations of the Travelling Books. Cloth racks with rows of pockets containing books are hung from tree to tree or pole to pole or along fences.
Children gather around the racks and choose books to read.
What can he more relaxing and fun than sitting on mats under trees and surrounded by books to read leisurely by oneself or with friends. This reading session is followed by storytelling, booktalks, dramatization, drawings and reproduction of books read into miniature or big books. To enable the children to enjoy the books for a good length of time, the Travelling Books with the racks are donated to the school. Annually, the University Library sets aside from its budget an amount for the Travelling Books which keeps the mobile library moving. What is especially outstanding is the spirit of Tam Boon which enhances the outreach services and increases the mileage of the Travelling Books.