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History of the National Library of Bhutan

Utse Tashichodzong
NLB Changgangkha
NLB Kawajangtsa, c. 1998

The National Library of Bhutan was established in 1967 under the patronage of HM Queen Ashi Phuntso Choden (1911-2003) , with a small collection of precious texts. The library was initially housed within some rooms of the central tower (utse) of Tashichodzong

Later, due to its growing collection, it had to move to a building in the Changgangkha area of Thimphu.

Realizing the need for a permanant and suitable building to hold the sacred religious texts in the collection the then Home Minister, Lyonpo Tamzhing Jagar, initiated the construction of the present four-storeyed eight-cornered traditional building designed in the form reminiscent of the central tower temple of a Bhutanese Dzong.

This building, which now houses the collection of traditional texts, was consecrated as a lhakhang or temple in order to provide a spiritually appropriate environment for these religious books which form the bulk of the collection. The inauguration and consecration ceremony of the new National Library building was held on November 23, 1984. H.E. Lyonpo Sangye Penjor, then Minister for Communications and Tourism, inaugurated the building, and the consecration ceremony was performed by H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

The cost of the construction of this building - some Nu.3 million - was borne entirely by the Royal Government of Bhutan (i.e. without any foreign aid).

After completion of the building, the library finally moved to its permanent home at the end of 1984 under the auspices of the then Special Commission for Cultural Affairs.

Directors

Since its establishment a number of directors have served as head of the National Library 0ver the years:

  1. Geshe Tshewang (1967 to 1973)
  2. Lopen Pemala (1973 to 1993)
  3. Sangay Wangchug (1993 to 1999)
  4. Mynak R.Tulku (1999 to 2004)
  5. Dorjee Tshering (2005 to 2007)

Geshe Tshewang

When the National Library was first established in 1967, Geshe Tshewang, a highly regarded scholar monk, was the Library's founding director. He initiated the collection and safekeeping of religious works acquired for the national collection. He retired in 1973.

 

Lopen Pemala

Lopon Pemala

Lam Pema Tshewang, popularly known as Lopen Pemala, was appointed the second Director in1973. Born in the Chumey valley of Bumthang Dzongkhag (district) he started his basic education of reading and writing at a tender age. His parents admitted him to Nimalung Shedra at the time Doring Trulku established it. He also took teachings from many renowned masters such as Khenpo Ngawang Yonten Gyamtsho, Thrango Tokden, Drubgu Rinpoche, Kathok Khen Rinpoche Ngawang Thinley, Khenchen Thubten Kunga Gyeltshen, Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyeltshen, His Eminence Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche, His Eminence Dujom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorji and few other masters of the Nyingma lineage.

In 1961 he received a Government order appointing him as a teacher at the newly opened Shedra at Semtokha in Thimphu. He was transferred as one of the writers at the Education Head Office in 1967 and standardized Dzongkha curriculum for classes IV to X. He was appointed a teacher of the Wangchuck Academy in 1970 with an additional mandate to introduce writing of Dzongkha for the first time as it is spoken. He was asked to shore up the proceedings of the final rites of Late His Majesty the third Druk Gyelpo in 1972. He was awarded gold medal by the Fourth Druk Gyelpo in recognition of his services in preparing and distributing information that facilitated the debates at the National Assembly, the highest legislative body.

On being transferred to the National Library in 1973 he authored the book “Khordey Lamsum” which was a classic on moral science, religion and traditional beliefs. He further received instructions from the Representative of His Majesty Her Royal Highness Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck to write a well researched History of Bhutan. In response he brought out “Druk Selwe Doenme” which to this day is a classic in its own right. He retired from his distinguished career in 1993 and currently serves as the Lam (Abbot) of Nimalung Dratshang, the monastery at which he enrolled at its inception.

He was awarded the distinguished medal of “Son of Bhutan” in 1999 when the nation celebrated 25 years of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyelpo’s golden rule.

Dasho Sangay Wangchug

Dasho Sangay Wangchug

In September 1993, Sangay Wangchug, formerly Under Secretary of the Central Monastic Body, was transferred to the National Library as the Acting Director. He brought about changes in line with modern needs in the library field. He was keen for readers to be able to access to the foreign books collection, and to open the stacks for browsing.

During his tenure as Director in 1996 the DANIDA-sponsored long-term library twinning project with the Royal Library of Denmark was launched.

Serving for more than six years, Dasho Sangay Wangchug was to leave the National Library on a high note, becoming the Secretary of the Special Commission for Cultural Affairs.

Mynak R. Tulku

Mynak R. Tulku

In May 1999, Mynak R. Tulku, Director of the National Museum in Paro for the previous twenty-five years, was appointed Director of the National Library, formally taking over on July 1, 1999. Under him the DANIDA library twinning project gathered momentum; the National Archives were established; and the research and IT sector of the Library's work was strengthened. The main library building was completely refurbished; the whole collection re-organised; and the library's collections were enhanced through donations - including digital library donations from TBRC and Palri Parkhang. Rinpoche retired from the post in December 2004.

Dorjee Tshering

Dorjee Tshering

The library's fifth director, Dorjee Tshering, took office in January, 2005, following the retirement of Mynak R.Tulku. An educationist by profession and principal of Bhutan's premier degree college, he had many years of previous experience in managerial positions in the education sector.

During his three years tenure, Dorjee Tshering vigorously promoted the National Library's collections and services while shepherding it into the final phase of the DANIDA Project, under which the National Library is expected to become much more connected in every way with the rest of Bhutan and also the wider world.

In September 2007 Dorjee Tshering was promoted to become the Director of the Department of Culture, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs.