The Country of Laos, Lao society and the development of the Lao people

1
PREFACE
1. Rationale of the Thesis:
Today, information has a profound impact of human activities. Information is increasingly
proving to be a special resource and one of the key resources in the development of each country,
being the management tool for production and social management. Information directly involves in
the productive forces and is the pioneering significant factor for the success or failure of each organi-
zation as well as individual.
After all, every relationship, every human activity is based on some form of information ex-
change. Information studies and promotion of positive effect of information have gradually been paid
attention to in a deeper level.
Information, documentation and library is an important part in the cultural, educational, sci-
entific systems Their level of knowledge transfer reflects the more or less progress of a society or a
nation in terms of educational, scientific and cultural aspects. Moreover, it also reflects the level of
human development.
The factual history of cultural development shows that the formation of library as a compo-
nent of cultural institutions of each community, society and nation is important and indispensable
because personal information and documentation is usually not enough for in-depth studies, so the
researchers and those in need of information have to gather more information and documentation in
libraries and other information resources and databases. The library is primarily a place to keep and
disseminate such information and documentation. Therefore, information and documentation in li-
brary become a knowledge repository for individuals to self-study, enhance knowledge and improve
professional skills most efficiently and sustainably.
In a broader term, information, documentation and library will provide knowledge for hu-
man development in ideal quality and library is also a place to gather information and documentation
of various kinds for human community for information and knowledge exchange of each nation and
humanity, which grants "cultural capital" for the socio-economic development of each nation.
In the context of modern scientific and technological development, information, documenta-
tion and library activities have been increasingly popular, professional and greatly significant for the
national development. Their roles are increasingly valued, more correctly perceived and simultane-

ously, nations have implemented exploitation and development programs to develop them in a profes-
sional, modern manner to meet the increasing demands of the socio-economic development.
Laos is a country of low level of socio-economic development. Its special history and geog-
raphy have not created good conditions for the development of information, documentation and li-
brary. Over the last 400 years, documents have been kept in pagodas, their information was poor and
their vitality was greatly influenced by the invasion as well as the colonial cultural policies of France
and the United States.
During the French colony, the French built libraries but due to low literacy levels, the use of
library and information, documentation exploitation were limited. Under the American colony, in
turn, the library system has been developed to provincial level; however, as most documents were
written in English, they were limitedly used due to language barrier.
Currently, information, documentation and library have been developed along with the de-
velopment of sciences and education in the country. Nevertheless, like many countries in their devel-
opment process, Laos is facing social and human difficulties. Such problems need to be interpreted

2
and consulted by social sciences. In that respect, the work of information and documentation as doc-
ument provision for Lao social sciences research and development is meaningful and necessary.
Moreover, in the integration and development trend of all fields, the information, documen-
tation and library of Laos are also exposed to major limitations and inefficiency, which need new
supplementation and development by an ad hoc and scientific system of policies. In order to do so, the
first and foremost issue to be identified and solved is to specify the roles of information, documenta-
tion and library, stating specific directions for their solutions and thus, making recommendations to
the highest levels of leadership to set out policies for the development of information, documentation
and library. Therefore, with this Thesis, we want to study and learn about most fundamental issues on
the roles of information, documentation and library, evaluate these activities in Laos, from which
orientations and suggestions are stated to make such activities more professional, modern and effec-
tively applicable.
2. Research objectives of the Thesis:
The Thesis objectives:

Based on the research, study and clarification on the roles of information, documentation
and library on the current development of social sciences in Laos, the Thesis tries to point out issues
and causes from information and documentation perspectives in the relationship between information
- documentation - library and social sciences in Laos; thus, raises a number of orientations and solu-
tions to improve the quality and effectiveness of information, documentation and library in Laos in
the near future in order to meet the development needs of social sciences in particular and Laos socie-
ty in general.
The tasks of the Thesis:
The Thesis has three basic tasks:
Firstly, stating the roles of information, documentation and library in the development of so-
cial sciences.
Secondly, raising a number of issues regarding the status quo, the roles of information, doc-
umentation and library in the development of social sciences in Laos in the nearly past 40 years.
Thirdly, providing orientations and solutions to promote the roles of information, documen-
tation and library in social sciences in order to meet the increasing requirements for the development
of social sciences in Laos today.
3. Objects and scope of research
The Thesis focuses on the relationship of information, documentation and library and the
development of social sciences in Laos in the nearly last 40 years. In other words, it is the relationship
between information and the development of Lao social sciences.
Study objects: The roles of information - documents - library in social sciences.
Scope of research: the above-mentioned objects were considered mainly in Laos: The rela-
tionship between information, documentation and library and Lao social sciences. In terms of theory,
the Thesis explores this relationship in the literature of philosophy, epistemology and library science.
In terms of practicality, the Thesis limits its research to the current situation in Laos. The content
which refers to Vietnam is mainly for comparison to draw lessons and theoretical conclusions. In
terms of time, due to the fact, the Thesis mainly considers the relationship between information,
documentation and library and social sciences in Laos in the last 40 years.

3

There are quite a lot of issues about the roles of information, documentation and library on
the activities of social sciences in Laos. In the framework of a philosophical Thesis on information,
documentation and library, we only pay attention to big issues set out from philosophical perspective;
especially issues for the current limited and backward development of Lao social sciences.
4. Research methods:
+ Rationale and methodology:
- Marxism-Leninism, revolutionary way of Lao People's Revolutionary Party.
- Strategy for socio-economic development of Laos, especially documents of Congress VII,
VIII, IX of Lao People's Revolutionary Party.
Logical deployment of Thesis: The Thesis analyzes the explanations of phenomena to un-
derstand their status and nature; identify issues to be solved; find out the causes of the status quo and
thereby state directions and solutions.
+ Research Methodology:
The Thesis uses historical – logical method, analysis - synthesis, systematization, compari-
son and the interdisciplinary methods of social sciences.
To conduct the study, the Thesis uses methods of documentation, document studies, particu-
larly historical and legal documents on Lao information, documentation and library. The Thesis uses a
number of statistics, quantitative research documents and some reports of state agencies on Lao in-
formation, documentation and library.
Apart from classic documents, theories and methodological perspectives of philosophy, we
also use resources and other secondary research information on Lao society in recent years. One
important source for the study and construction of this Thesis is reports on the information and docu-
mentation of the National Library of Laos; Lao Institute of Social Sciences, Central Library of the
National University of Laos, etc.; the inheritance of previous research results related to library and
information activities in Laos; the information resources of Lao information and documentation in
Vietnam and in the world.
In this Thesis, we also use reports by the World Bank, UNDP, IMF; the statistics of the Lao
PDR; some studies on Lao economy and society such as "The Country of Laos, Lao society and the
development of the Lao people " (2011) which was coordinately conducted by Vietnam Academy of
Social Sciences and Lao National Academy of Social Sciences; the secondary information from sur-

veys on Lao economy and society.
5. Contributions of the Thesis:
This is the first thesis conducted in the area of library and information in Laos and is also the
first philosophical dissertation on the field. The Thesis has:
- Comparatively systematically generalized the roles of information, documentation and li-
brary in the development of social sciences from the philosophical perspective.
- Identified the current situation of the social sciences development in Laos.
- Identified the current situation of information, documentation and library of Laos; prelimi-
narily evaluated their operational history.
- Proposed solutions for the development of information, documentation and library in Laos
in the coming period.
These above - mentioned are also the new scientific contributions of the Thesis.

4

6. Thesis composition:
The Thesis consists of four chapters: 1 Overview and 3 research chapters with 8 sub-parts.

Chapter 1. Overview of Research Situation
For the purpose of research and thesis writing, we have gathered and studied documents on
information, documentation and library, information - documentation activities in general as well as
the roles of information, documentation and library on social activities and social sciences from doc-
uments in Russian (including the former Soviet Union), English documents which are translated into
Vietnamese, English documents, Vietnamese documents (written by Vietnamese) and Lao documents.
1.1. Documents in Russian and English documents being translated into Vietnamese:
Since the middle of the twentieth century, there have been a lot of works on information.
From the perspective of philosophy, the studies on information and on the nature, character-
istics and significance of the information have been put out quite deeply and especially ebullient in
the world of philosophy, epistemology and the library science of the former Soviet Union and Bulgar-
ia. Many works deeply clarify such issues as the philosophical nature of information, the relationship

between information and scientific knowledge, information and controlling processes based on
reflective theory.
In addition, a number of articles of foreign authors written in English refer to information,
information operations, and library. Western scholars also pay much attention to information, docu-
mentation and library as well as the roles and significance of information, documentation and library
in the development of society and science besides their interests in information and communication
technology, information and information study. In the above-mentioned studies, mainly those con-
ducted and recommended by International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
shown deep concerns on information and library.
1.2. Documents in Vietnamese:
Over nearly the last 20 years, along with the strong development of science and technology,
the information, documentation and library science has received much research interest in Vietnam,
especially in the field of information – library studies. The philosophical aspect of information has
been gradually approached by authors.
In terms of information particularly, in addition to information studies, information is also
accessed from the cybernetic, computer, information technology sciences mainly works by scholars
who are lecturers of faculties of information – library, of information technology, cybernetics. From
their approach perspective, they view information in different perspectives and methods.
Notably, university curriculum textbooks being published respectively in recent decades
have provided useful information and knowledge for numerous students.
Such textbooks consist of two types; the first type shows concerns to information from the
perspective of information – library studies and the other is curriculum of information technology,
cybernetics and informatics.
Some other works of informatics include primarily textbooks of general informatics, such as
General Informatics Curriculum (Nguyen Duc Man, ed., 2010), General Informatics Curriculum (Han
Viet Thuan, ed., 2009) written for economics students.

5
Regarding dissertation Thesis, there are two works which have mentioned quite a lot about
information. The first is the doctoral Thesis named "Information and the information reception and

processing in the mind of Vietnamese" by Le Thi Duy Hoa, Ho Chi Minh National Political Acade-
my, 2002. In this work, the author has devoted the entire first chapter to analyze the information and
the process of information receiving and processing of human thought. The second is PhD Thesis
named "Information technology and its social impacts on modern society - Social philosophical anal-
ysis" by Nguyen Thi Huong Lan, Institute of Philosophy, 2008. Although the Thesis is about infor-
mation technology, the author spends one part of it (about 20 pages) to discuss the information,
knowledge and relationships between information and information technology. The author has re-
viewed information in the perspective of reflective theory and placed information in the movement of
information society, pointing out the relationship between information and information technology.
Regarding scientific journal articles written on information, documentation and library, the
number of articles referring to this topic is quite a lot. However, most of the research papers are ap-
proached in the narrow professional approach of information – library science; therefore, they mainly
go into each specific issue, technique and situation.
In the philosophical approach to information, there are some articles:
"The concept of ‘information’ from the ontological and epistemological approach" by Le Thi Duy
Hoa, Journal of Philosophy, No. 1 (107), 1999; "The nature of information and knowledge economy"
by Phung Van Thiet, Journal of Philosophy, No. 1 (1-2005), tr.57-61. These two articles have linked
information with reflective theory.
Also published in Journal of Philosophy, No. 3 (166), tr.33-37, March 2005, the article “In-
formation society and its role in social management” by Nguyen Huu De has approached social in-
formation and its role in social management. The author refers to the concept of information, admit-
ting that information is the reflection of physical realm and is objective; information is the inherent
property of the physical world.
In general, approaches from the philosophical perspective primarily concern information in
the broadest sense, definitely including activities of information, documentation and library. Such
approaches are still single studies rather than a recognized project on information and the role of
information on the general development of social sciences.
Approaching information from the perspective of information studies, the articles "Access to
information from the methodological perspective of scientific classification", Journal of Information
and Development, No. 2/2011 and "Information study: is it an interdisciplinary science? ", Journal of

Information and development, No. 10 (32), 2009 by Tran Thi Quy show the nature and position of
information studies in the system of sciences.
In the article "Concept and connotation of information study through research and practical
activities", Journal of Information and Development, No.1&2 (34) 2010, the author Vu Van Son
suggests that, in most countries of the world, the term ‘scientific and technical information’ or simply
‘information science’, is used more often and put in the interdisciplinary science.
Nghiem Xuan Huy (Vietnam National University) has two research papers named "The role
of information capacity for scientific research officers", Information and Library Network Vietnam, at
http:// vietnamlib.net, accessed on 24/01/2010 and "The role of information literacy for scientific
research officers", Journal of Library of Vietnam, No. 3 (23), 2010. Both of these articles refer to

6
information, the role of information for scientific researchers, showing the importance of information
literacy, the capacity (which workers can well undertake) for the scientific research officers.
With the article "Scientific information and scientific research", Journal of Social Infor-
mation, Hanoi, 1993, the author Le Nhu Diem has approached information from the narrow angle of
scientific information and placed them in relation to scientific research.
Also referring to social science information, the authors Dang Thi Thanh Ha and Tran Manh
Tuan in "Solutions for product and service development social science information", Journal of In-
formation and Development, No. 5/2011, believe that, in research institutes of Vietnam Academy of
Social Sciences, to perform their duties, social science information and library agencies constantly
create and provide different types of information products to users. Therefore, to improve the effi-
ciency of information use, the principles, solutions for social science product development and infor-
mation services need to be paid attention to.
In the "System of national information in the industrialization and modernization process of
the country", 2010, Journal of Information and Development, No. 6 & 7 (37), the author Pham Van
Vu thinks that in order to implement industrialization and modernization, international integration,
performing the tasks of socio-economic, science and technology development, there must be break-
through changes for information systems, information dissemination need to be better organized.
In the particular array of library science, library studies, a lot of articles have been constantly

published in journals of information and documentation, information and development, libraries of
Vietnam in recent years.
In journals published in 2012, there have emerged a number of articles about libraries, the
training of library information staff, many articles refer to the practical problems of the current library
branch in Vietnam. Notably is the article "Formative factors and development trends of libraries in the
world and Vietnam", Vietnam Library Journal, No.3/2012, p.18-21. Also in this issue of Vietnam
Library Journal, No.3/2012, Le Van Viet with the article "Development and strengthening the rela-
tionship between public libraries and society" has stated that the library is a social institution, being
created by society and serving society; thus, the society must be responsible for creating favorable
conditions for the construction and development of the library.
Also in the Vietnam Library Journal No. 3/2012, the article named "Strengthening profes-
sional training for library and information staff in Vietnam" by Nguyen Thi Hanh, has mentioned the
importance of professional training for library and information staff, the current status of professional
training for library and information staff in Vietnam and proposed measures to strengthen profession-
al training in library - information.
In addition, there are a number of workshops which mention the core issues of the library,
issues raised in the digital age, in the context of deeper integration in all fields of Vietnam; all is a
very meaningful reference for Laos.
1.3. Documents in Laotian:
For Laos, the philosophical analyses of information, documentation and library are totally a
new issue. According to the information that we collect during the course of the Thesis, there are no
books and journals on this issue. Even theses and graduate dissertation of domestic and foreign au-
thors and PhD. Students who show their interests in theoretical, macro level and orientation capable
are really rare.

7
Among the thesis of these graduate students, there is no thesis referring to information –
documentation and the roles of information – documentation and library in the social and science
development, especially from the philosophical aspects roles of information – documentation and
library in the social and social science development of Laos.

Information, documentation are only found in internal reports of the libraries, universities
However, it is comparatively difficult to find such information and documentation in Laos due to poor
archival conditions.
At the level of specific practices, we see that the international reports by sponsoring organi-
zations for projects conducted in Laos, more or less, have mentioned the information and library
activities in Laos. We can see this on a number of websites, online data.
In documents of the Party and State of Laos, the practical perspective of information, docu-
mentation and library has not been systematically and directly mentioned. Nevertheless, among a
number of documents or statements made by senior leaders of Laos, we see some which refer to
information, documentation and library in Laos.
Conclusion of Chapter 1

Chapter 2
The roles of information, documentation and library in the development of social sci-
ences
2.1. Some concepts of information, documentation and library and their activities
2.1.1. Information and documentation
2.1.1.1. Information
Generally, information is all recorded facts, events, ideas and judgments that are able to in-
crease human understanding. Information is formed in the process of communication in all fields of
social life. Everyone can get information directly from other people, through language, text, through
the mass media, from the data banks or by observation or experience the around world.
According to the understanding of philosophy, information is the reflection of the real world
(natural and social) in many different forms, such as: words, symbols, images, etc. or more generally
by means which are able to influence human senses.
We believe that the concept of "information" primarily includes the following:
- The knowledge that human beings have created in history, which was recorded as symbols,
characters, languages and styles, etc. in texts, documents, being transferred from one to another
generation.
- The external form of language transfer is usually expressed in the form of human culture

such as music, painting, sculpture, dance, etc.
- The kinds of knowledge which are conveyed through intermediate carriers in the form of
signals, electromagnetic waves, light waves and other forms of human communication.
- The complex form of communication, transmission, signals, messages and meaning be-
tween the various actors in human life and society. Thus, the most meaningful forms of information
that the Thesis studies and proposes are information issues, firstly the rich and complex knowledge of
humans, which exist in documentation forms that are most significantly stored, transmitted and most
effective for knowledge of all kinds in libraries (or information centers) with their various activities.

8
The above - mentioned is the concept of information to be used within the Thesis. However,
apart from this, it is necessary to state that, information, documentation and library have their own
characteristics and in different areas, the concepts of "information" can not be homogenous. In terms
of philosophy, "Information" means all the signals from the outside world that affects humans, being
received, processed and exchanged by them for the existence and development of humans and human
society. Information is divided into various layers, forms and kinds
Social sciences show concerns to many types, forms of information with more emphasis to
social information. Documentation is referred the resources formed on the basis of collection, storage,
or processing information according to a certain theme and. And the library is a place to keep, pre-
serve, provide, share and even create information and documentation.
Once being identified, information and documentation are associated with library; that is,
they associate with the form and the place of information storage, while they "ignore" or set aside the
other existent forms or expressions of information. In other words, the information is placed in rela-
tion to documentation and library. In the actual information operation, information – documentation
and library are coherently associated with each other. In the dissemination of information, it is not
coincident that people often refer to the term ‘information – documentation – library’, because the
library refers to books, articles, documents which means documentation, and documentation means
information which is the content stored in such documents.
The information we mention in this Thesis is not a single, incoherent signal; it is located in a
discrete system associated with documentation and library, library activities, and they are under the

category of information and library science (also known as information and library studies).
It should be emphasized that also in this Thesis, we do not deal with the nature aspect of in-
formation but its social aspect and nature to study information and social life and social sciences.
However, when needed, we also mention its natural attributes, valuesand universal significance so
that it can be better visualized the problem and content being discussed.
The general attributes of information:
Information as phenomenon, especially when it is considered as a social phenomenon, we
can identify its attributes: exchange, quantity, quality, value and price.
Classification of information
The common basic classification of information is as follows: according to the value and us-
age scale; the content of information; users; levels of content processing; forms of information ex-
pressions:
Mass Media: refers to information disseminated via the press, online networks.
Scientific Information: scientific information is the kind of information which has high level
of accuracy, being verified through research tools by the scientific research methods. Those who use
scientific information can be leaders and manages, researchers, professors, students, engineers, or
manufacturers and businessmen [60:43]. The incorrect information used in sciences can be generally
understood as not being scientific information (misinformation or incorrect information).
In this Thesis, the concept of information which we mention is not public information but
scientific information; that is, scientific information for the general public which is on the mass media
such as spoken, written and visual press, online media. It means information of specialized, high
quality, reliable disciplines, being able to research as well as the development of sciences. Here, we
emphasize the role of information for the social sciences and social activities.

9
These forms of information are usually conveyed and stored in journals, thematic collec-
tions, scientific publications (books, proceedings of scientific workshops and seminars ), and scien-
tific reports with procedures conforming certain criteria recognized by the scientific community of a
nation or of the world. Thus, information refers to documentation; the two are interconnected and
unseparated.

Social science information: Social science information can be interpreted as social science
knowledge that information disseminates. According to the American Heritage Science Dictionary
[98], social science information is different disciplines studying human society and social relation-
ships, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science and history.
2.1.1.2. Documentation
According to the Encyclopedia of Vietnam, the term "documentation" refers to information
carriers in different forms such as books, periodicals, recordings, video recordings, films, magnetic
disks, optical disks, etc. Depending on the characteristics, nature, content, material and usage, docu-
ments are divided into several types: audio-visual documents, historical documents, confidential
documents, archives, original documents [67], etc.
In terms of connotation, the concept of documentation is equivalent to the concept of the
document.
Documentation information and scientific information have similarities and differences. Sci-
entific information is just information which has been evaluated scientifically, being the specialized
information of sciences, and documentation information can be information in either broad sense or
specialized narrow one.
Documentation information refers to general information and mentions about its media,
storage rather than merely noting the aspects of their scientific content. Therefore, documentation
information and scientific information should not be homogeneous even though in reality, these two
concepts are sometimes used interchangeably.
In conclusion, the term ‘documentation’ is often associated the term ‘information’ to form
documentation information or information – documentation. When speaking of the term, it is often
understood as information and documentary forms performing storage and dissemination functions.
2.1.1.3. Information, documentation and scientific research
It can be understood that information and documentation in the core are the scientific infor-
mation communication and for scientific activities although not all of the information and documenta-
tion activities are scientific information or create scientific information. However, overall, infor-
mation and documentation activities are aimed at achieving valuable scientific information that have
implications for the development of sciences.
In fact, the process of one scientific activity occupies the majority of information and docu-

mentation. As can be seen, information and documentation is a form of organized scientific work
being performed by information officers for the enhancement of the research and development effi-
ciency, including the technical information collection and processing, synthesizing and analysis,
storage and search in documents, as well as introducing this information for science and technology
officers when necessary, under the convenient forms to meet the needs of their scientific information.
It is able to confirm information and documentation is form of scientific labor because the
purpose of the information and documentation coincides with the second most important signs in the
definition of scientific labor; which means the effective and prompt usage of acquired knowledge into

10
practice and reality. In addition, any study or research implementation also begins with theme identi-
fication, overview of research history in the issues. Normally, this is done by preparing information
and it is not just at the outset of the study but also in its implementation process. Thus, it can be said
that preparing information is an associated part in the approach of scientific and implementation
research.
2.1.2. Library
2.1.2.1. The concept of Library:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization defines "Library,
which does not depend on its name, is any organized collection of books, periodicals or other docu-
ments, including graphics, audio visual and staff who are responsible for to organize readings of users
for information, scientific research, education or entertainment "[66:35]. This concept has overarched
all types of libraries in general. The important content of the library is information – documentation
and activities related to information-documentation. Consequently, the fact shows that library means
information – documentation and library activities are information – documentation activities.
2.1.2.2. Types of library:
There are two basic types of libraries, including public libraries and specialized (and multi-
disciplined) libraries.
2.1.2.3. Library operation:
Library operation is truly information – documentation activities and not being beyond such
activities. In fact, no libraries are merely places to acquire and store books and newspapers.

Library operation in its most literal meaning is understood as activities of the library profes-
sion to preserve and provide primary documents for readers (users).
The library's missions are often divided into two arrays; one is related to the internal (tech-
nical) operation of the library and the other deal directly with readers-users.
Nowadays, with the development of information technology and spiritual entertainment needs,
library operation has become much richer; however, these two above activities are still main basic
tasks of a library institution.
2.1.3. The relationship between information, documentation and library, and the dis-
tinction between information – documentation activities and library activities
2.1.3.1. The relationship between information, documentation and library
Information, documentation and library are well interconnected. Over the past two decades,
the mixture of information and library, of information in library archives and library activities are
stick together and it is hard to distinctively separate them. Many researchers are from the information
centers and libraries. This phenomenon is predominant in developed countries such as the UK, the
USA in which, librarians are the leading experts in the field of information, information studies,
who are responsible for providing information on social sciences. If you want to know about the book
you're looking for, the librarian will give you deep instructions, not only finding and bringing them to
you.
Also for decades, in the developed countries, the number of newsletters, magazines, jour-
nals of social sciences is huge such as philosophy, culture, sociology, etc. Many online networks such
as of Yale University, of IFLA, of
SAGE Publications, etc. have shared the studies, collections of international levels

11
With the trend of modernization and globalization, information "flows" everywhere and is
stored with quite modern storage systems, in which they mention much about digital libraries. It
shows that library and information are gradually in close relationships. Libraries are increasingly the
convergent place for the majority of users, for the introduction of information publications, promotion
of cultural products Libraries gradually become a cultural space, a truly serious place of infor-
mation convergence and document provision.

Today, associations of information and documentation and information centers are closely
interrelated in exchanging information, sharing resources and enhancing information resources. It can
be said that information - documentation is the constitutive part of the library as well as its capital.
The library is the place that both accumulates information and reliably disseminate information.
Information, documentation and library are organically interrelated; and certainly, infor-
mation – documentation activities and library activities are related with each other. However, in terms
of specificity, there exist certain differences in information, documentation and library.
2.1.3.2. The distinction among information, documentation activities and library activities
The work of information, documentation and library are closely interrelated and intertwined.
However, when going into detail, there are certain differences; but the goals of such activities are to
best serve the demands for information, for information and scientific documentation exploitation of
users.
The interference, resonance and strict requirements in terms of professionalism make these
two activities so stick together that it is difficult to discrete them. Good understanding such character-
istics helps information workers and librarians to better perform to meet the increasing demands of
the profession as well as demands for information of the public.
- Characteristics of information, documentation
Information and documentation possess the following basic features:
+ Information, documentation work is an organized activity that requires professionalism.
+ Information, documentation work is a real form scientific labor
- Characteristics of library:
In essence, library work is information – documentation work but it differs from information
– documentation work in terms of if information work is considered as the primary information activi-
ty, the latter will be the secondary one.
2.2. The role of information, documentation and library in the development of society
The main purpose of the Thesis is to clarify the role of information – documentation and li-
brary in the development of social sciences; however, social sciences, in turn, reflect the profound
socio - economic activities such as manufacturing, education and training, health care.
Social sciences play a deep role in planning development policies, taking part in policy
counseling, and criticizing socio-economic development programs. Therefore, to clarify the role of

information, documentation and library in social sciences, the author has mentioned the significant
role of information, documentation and library for social development in general; thereby, to see more
clearly the meaning, the effect of the development of information, documentation and library in the
development of social sciences; the role of social sciences can only be grown stronger, better partici-
pated in developing the country once they are provided with full and multi-dimensional information
and documentation, and library systems are strong and caliber enough.
2.2.1. The role of information, documentation for the development of society

12
2.2.1.1. The role of information, documentation in the fields of economy and production
The knowledge based economy has been developed throughout the world. Laos is like Vi-
etnam, the two countries have initially approached and developed the knowledge economy. In such
economy, high-quality information and knowledge will serve as the inputs and presenting the value in
the commodity product outputs. Information makes high quality products with the lower costs.
Currently, in many developed countries, the media industry is growing, projected to be a
fashionable industry of the twenty-first century; by that time, information will form large service
centers and each of its development steps will identify the economic vitality.
Today, it is admitted that which country knows how to apply faster, better and more efficient
achievements of the world scientific and technical achievements will gain greater results in the devel-
opment of the national economy.
2.2.1.2. The role of information, documentation in the development of science, education
and training
Information exists and develops closely with the process of exchange between communities,
generations, in which education, training and scientific research plays a vital role.
In the scientific development, information is expressed in rules of scientific development,
which is the inheritance. This is an important factor contributing to the rapid scientific advancements.
Those who receive and process information in later time always inherit and develop information from
their predecessors to discover new regulations, new discoveries within the scientific products.
In some certain aspect, science is a form of information, such information is actualized to
make every human activity more vivid, richer and truer.

Science and education - training always go together. If science gets information to promote
the development of information, education is a social activity to transfer information among genera-
tions, transferring knowledge of quintessence of the prior society to the social adjacent classes.
To conduct educational activities, information (textbooks, materials ) must exist for learn-
ers to search and exploit to make their own information. In education and training, the teacher plays
the role of providing orientation and guidance.
Through the storage and preservation and dissemination of documents, library also dissemi-
nates cultural values to readers and the public. The books and archives themselves are considered a
form of written cultural heritage. Their acquisition, storage and preservation mean the library is keep-
ing cultural values to the community, to each future generation of each country and humanity. There-
fore, in some certain extent, library is considered as the memory of the nation and humanity.
2.2.1.3. Information, documentation are also a resource of national development
Even in the last years of the twentieth century, information has been seen as a "natural" re-
source. Nowadays, people have mentioned information resource, information force along with other
natural, social and human resources. And in the past, all developments were based on nature and the
natural resources; nevertheless, in the late twentieth century, people have paid more attention to the
exploitation of information resources and have realized that if information is exploited systematically,
the outcomes will be more effective.
However, unlike other physical resources, the information resource is considered endless as
the human knowledge capital is always innovating. The exploitation and utilization of such resource
also create materials and wealth like any other resources.

13
Besides, the information can be expanded and grow continuously and is only limited by time
and human cognitive abilities. Due to the characteristic of being spread naturally, information is never
lost; on the contrary, it is always rich as it is reconstructed and supplemented by adding new infor-
mation sources…
In the current strong development science and technology, and that science and technology
are increasingly becoming direct productive forces, information about science and technology be-
comes an important resource, being capable to create a breakthrough, bringing economic and political

advantages of each country. "It is now acknowledged that material, energy, information and cultural
identity of the nation are determining factors in the survival and development of each coun-
try"[60:70].
It can be said that the role of information is confirmed by everyone, especially in the global-
ization era, the era of "information society", of "global information revolution". The goals of scientific
information makers or providers is to understand the needs of users for full and proper information
provision; determining the characteristics of some scientific problem according to its content, basic
orientation, overview of issue implementation, the specific results and research conditions for the
application of such research findings into practice [7].
Now, the concept of "information society", a concept to indicate the presence of information
as well as its indispensable strength in the development of contemporary society, has become popular.
2.2.2. The role of library for the development of society
The role of library in the development of society is reflected in its functions; these functions
are gradually being identified and developed in conjunction with the development of human society.
Here, there exists distinction on the role of each type of library. Due to different purposes
and functions among different types of libraries, there are more or less differences between public and
specialized libraries.
Public Library
Getting updates to capture information is one of the fundamental rights of human. As a pub-
lic service open to everyone, public library plays a key role in the information collection, organization
and exploitation. Public library is responsible for collecting information, especially indigenous infor-
mation and ready to serve users. The library also acts as a collected memory of the past, the history of
individuals and communities.
Specialized, multi-disciplinary library:
This type of library, with its specific characteristics and functions, has the task of intensively
serving different users in accordance with their professional occupations. The role of specialized,
multi-disciplinary libraries is primarily providing intensive information and documentation,
knowledge to researchers in the field, providing professional knowledge and skills for staff to work
well in their field.

2.3. The role of information, documentation and library in the development of social
sciences
2.3.1. Social science and its characteristics
2.3.1.1. The concept of social science
So far, different opinions about social sciences are sometimes not clearly defined, causing
more or less controversy. However, one widely acknowledged opinion is that social science is a great

14
system which includes humanity science. Therefore, the concept of social science should be defined
in the broad sense, including humanity science.
2.3.1.2. Characteristics of social science
The first characteristic of all sciences is to be objective; nevertheless, in social science, as its
object is the human society, all studies drawn on it must go through human reflective thinking and
therefore, it is more or less inevitably subjective. In some certain extent, subjective factors still have
impacts on social science studies.
On the other hand, in the field of social sciences, class, ethnicity and age still have certain
controls on researchers. Thus, many arguments by social science researchers are still subjective and
feeling inclusive.
Social sciences can be classified into different functions; however, at the level of philoso-
phy, social sciences have the basic function of studying, finding out the inevitable relationships,
regulations and causes of social life, from which giving direction and proposing solutions for social
development.
In the latter half of the twentieth century, social sciences themselves have tied with the break
out of information, documentation and library. The development of information centers, the introduc-
tion of information studies, the connection between information and library, the modernization of
library science have created conditions for schools, theories, views of social sciences to supplement to
each other, placing impacts and stimulate social science studies and teaching in all countries. In this
trend, social sciences have been increasingly and deeply divided into sectors; at the same time, inter-
disciplinary, multidisciplinary studies have become more popular.
2.3.2. The roles of information and information, documentation and library activities in

the development of social sciences
2.3.2.1. The demands for information, documentation of social sciences
Sciences in general are in need of information and have the same general demands such as in
need of high quality information, new information ; nevertheless, every field and sector has its
special needs of information, the same object either in need of information or possesses information
but natural sciences and technology show different concerns about it, which are also different from
social sciences. Similarities and differences are stated as follows:
- Reception of multidisciplinary and multi-sector information:
All sciences need a large volume of multidisciplinary and multi-sector information but not
merely specialized knowledge. The same situation applies for social sciences. The trend of multidis-
ciplinary, interdisciplinary social science research has increased and brought back new exciting ways
of understanding as well as made research more comprehensive, accurate; the reliability of social
science knowledge has become more robust.
The work of researchers has become more and more complicated as the amount of infor-
mation they get is growing, especially from online information sources. By that time, researchers have
to face the problem of how to choose reliable, valuable and suitable information for their work. They
will have to spend a lot of time to process information, organize and use them in a reasonable manner.
- Information literacy of researchers
Information access capacity (or information literacy) can be understood as the capacity to
approach, receive and process information, making normal information into meaningful information
for research.

15
Information literacy is the key for people in general and researchers in particular to master
the knowledge treasure of humanity. The current information explosion has made the information
world more complicated and chaotic. How to find the "right" and "enough" information that we need
and use them effectively? It is not hard to answer the question if we have a deep understanding of the
info world.
- Characteristics of social sciences from information perspective:
One almost natural difference of social science versus natural science and technology is that

social science has a close relationship with social information and is always in need of acquiring and
searching information of social sciences. For social sciences, social information is the basis for social
studies and explanations. Social information is the information about the activities of humans, from
economic to political, social, cultural perspectives.
2.3.2.2. Some negative effects of information on scientific research in general and social
science in particular
In fact, scientific research may encounter difficulties due to restrictions from information
and documentation activities. Data errors need to be fixed since being put into reference and research.
Among many causes of limitations in scientific research, some errors can be listed as follows:
+ Misleading information
Incomplete or misleading information inevitably leads to one-sided or misleading decisions
in research and development applications.
Misleading information stems from the use of references; and the comparison of resources in
the study also have a lot of problems. The researchers either do not have sufficient information about
the sources being cited or do not know how to organize the list of references in the regulated manner.
Some social science sectors have certain lags; some others have leading feature. The latter
has high requirement for information, documentation and library activities. The misleading infor-
mation regarding leading and lagging features of social sciences will become very dangerous for
social sciences themselves and for the social and political life, the cultural and spiritual psychology of
society.
+ Incomprehensive and not up-to-date data for research
Social sciences receive and inherit from many studies of other different sciences when study
a problem; thus, comprehensive information is of great significance to the research findings of social
sciences. Likewise, it is difficult to conduct new studies which are close to real life if the information
for research is obsolete and not up-to-date. For example, studies of socio-economic morphologies, of
ritual life, etc.
+ Information overload
Information overload is a phrase that is often mentioned in the current context, because the
appearance of multimedia communications, the proliferation of publications, the individual speeches
of scientists and of independent researchers published in unofficial forums such as social networking

sites, blogs have made information flow and be transmitted continuously and with different cogni-
tive levels of the public, the scientific community, information is refracted once again, much infor-
mation has been differential or distorted by dishonest purposes of users.
Information overload greatly affects social science research. Thus, social scientists should
also be alert and cautious before making their conclusions in the conditions of information overload.
2.3.2.3. The role of information, documentation in the development of the social sciences

16
Basically, the role of information, documentation in the development of the social sciences
can be seen on some of the following aspects:
Firstly, information, documentation are the basis for conducting research, professional activ-
ities of all social sciences. Social sciences can not proceed and develop without stemming from in-
formation, especially social information and professional information. Information and documentation
will orient research problems and research methods. When conducting a study, researchers are always
interested in documentation resources, how to exploit documentation, to what extent they are exploit-
ed and if there is much new information.
Information in social life is extremely diverse, but with the forms/types of processed infor-
mation and printed in the reports or publications, it will help social science researchers to have an
overall, general vision of the issues to be studied. On that basis, collective or individual researchers
select specific topics, identify the right content and research methods, save time and efforts to better
organize the research activities.
Secondly, the more diversity of information, the broader the research problem is and the
more reliable the documentation resources become; on the contrary, if information is poor, the con-
clusions of social sciences will not be persuasive enough, the conclusions will not be profound, be
incomplete, even easy to be one-sided and misleading
Information, documentation activities if being done well will help the research activities to
have lots of information to process, more diverse and rich resources for in-depth studies.
Thirdly, information, documentation will always be the problem of social sciences, the per-
manent concern of social sciences; the need for social science information society will become more
and more urgent and has the following highlighted characteristics:

+ The macroscopic orientation determined on the basis of the Party and the State policies in
planning and construction of social and economic development in general and the development of
social sciences and humanities in particular.
+ The growing integration, diversity and inter-discipline due to the needs of increasing cohe-
sion between sciences and the trend to appear and develop social sciences at the intersection of sci-
ences, in addition to acquiring information required to capture their subjects, they also need to capture
the integrated and interdisciplinary information.
Fourthly, today, scientific information is not separate from research; these two activities in-
tersect each other. In particular, scientific information is the environment for scientists to present their
views, carry scientific exchanges and is an important forum to stimulate critical thinking, arising
research ideas, especially for young scientists who are beginning to explore and are inexperienced in
identifying research problems.
2.3.2.4. The roles of library in the development of the social sciences:
When referring to the role and position of library in the social sciences, it is not enough if
the library is discussed generally, because the library itself is generally a public library with many
problems and different types of knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the role of library in
providing information on the fields of social sciences and humanities in public libraries, e.g. The
current social science and humanity collection of the National Library of Vietnam; or the specialized,
interdisciplinary social science libraries such as Social Sciences Library in Vietnam today; or the
library of institutes of social sciences and humanities. Thus, referring to the role of library in social

17
sciences means to emphasize the two types of information provision by the library that we have men-
tioned above.
- For the first form, social science and humanity book collections in the public libraries are
the major source of information for social science researchers; the libraries have specified and provid-
ed the address for researchers, students and graduate students to conduct their social science studies
and seek knowledge of social sciences; they also provide common knowledge common readers and
specialized knowledge with high quality and valuable reference for researchers of social sciences. The
significance of information depends on the purpose and objectives of the information seekers and

users.
- For specialized and social science multi-disciplinary libraries, they are definitely reliable
places for and the first target of researchers specializing or not specializing in social sciences. And so,
they will be the places that provide information and documentation regularly, continuously and most
comprehensively in social sciences for scholars, trainees, PhD. Students.
Social science specialized, multidisciplinary libraries are the places to keep in-depth re-
search or studies related to social sciences professionally, systematically and are also the place for
researchers to dedicate and donate their personal archives and collections before they die, or for pro-
fessional social organizations to donate precious resources.
Conclusion of chapter 2.

Chapter 3.
The roles of information, documentation and library in the development of Lao social sciences:
the status quo and the issues raised
3.1. Natural features, history and socio – economy of Laos and the situation of infor-
mation, documentation and library in Laos in the last 40 years
3.1.1. Natural, historical and socio-economic features of Laos
3.1.1.1. The nature and history of Lao People's Democratic Republic
3.1.1.2. The socio-economic feature
Laos is a landlocked country, there is no road to the sea and is mostly hilly, of which 47% is
forests; but thanks to abundant resources, proper orientation, Lao economy has been grown strongly
in recent years.
From one of the poorest countries in the world, Lao has increasingly developed its dynamic
economy. Since 1986, Laos has conducted decentralization in economic management and encouraged
the development of private enterprises. Since 1990, the government initiated the reform and opening
up. Under the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party of Laos, the Lao tribes are united to main-
tain independence, sovereignty and to build a civilized and progressive country in Laos.
3.1.2. Some aspects of the history of information, documentation storage and the for-
mation and development of Lao library in the last nearly 40 years
This section describes the history of library and information operations of Laos in the nearly

last forty years and concludes that: In general, information, documentation and library activities in
Laos in the last 40 years are very poor, lack of vitality, lack of professionalism; all things are fuzzy,
nothing is worth for positive recognition. The documentation and library system in Laos is mainly
from pagodas, the public primarily get access to books in there and they are mostly anecdotal docu-
ments, not systematically arranged collections.

18
Since then, information, documentation and library activities in Laos have not left any posi-
tive outcomes for next generations; almost everything remains to be done from the beginning; thus,
they almost have no meaning for the development of Lao social sciences as well as Lao society.
3.2. The status quo of information, documentation and library in Laos
3.2.1. The situation of information, documentation resources in large information, docu-
mentation centers and libraries of Laos
Currently, Laos has three major agencies participating in information, documentation and li-
brary activities. They are: The National Library of Laos, the National University of Laos Library, the
Library of Lao Academy of Social Sciences. The Thesis provides descriptions, statistics, and analysis
of their documentation collections, personnel, operational structure, financial capital, service activities
and service methods.
3.2.2. Some comments on the state of information, documentation and library in Laos;
causes of the problems
- Information resources are poor, not diversified in terms of types; the financial investment
on equipments is weak and limited; information and documents are mainly obtained through major
funding, exchange with other countries (Vietnam and other sources), there are no stable and frequent
sources of acquisitions; Facilities for information and document storage, searching, exploitation and
preservation are lack, weak and uneven. There are a few modern single machines (such as digitizing
equipment) but their performance is poor; the information, documentation and library staff is lack,
who are immature in professional qualifications, even misleading to the requirements of the field and
need to be retrained. A new workforce needs to be supplemented as well.
In general, the information, documentation and library activities in Laos are lack and weak,
they are just the initial approaches to information and documentation rather than professional activi-

ties on information, documentation and library.
There are many causes affecting information, documentation and library activities in Laos;
but basically, these are the following reasons:
One, the war affected information, documentation and library activities in Laos as well as the
dissemination of information and library activities;
Two, the demands/educational level of Lao people is not high;
Three, the role and position of social sciences have not really been properly recognized for
its extent; the government of Laos has greater efforts but not yet focused properly on information,
documentation and library activities.
3.2.3. Some features of social science activities in Laos and the development needs of in-
formation, documentation and library in the nearly last 40 years.
Previously, there was almost no or little development of sciences in Laos or their activities
are weak, having no significant contributions to the development of Lao society as well as Lao social
sciences.
The current Lao Academy of Social Sciences (abbreviated: LASS), whose precursor is the
Social Science Research Board, was established in 1989 and operated until 1993. However, from
1993 to 2005, this Board was cleared. It was not until 2006 that Lao Academy of Social Sciences
(based on the former Social Science Research Board) was re-established. This is a professional scien-
tific institution under the leadership of Lao government, being equivalent to one ministry, having the
roles of studying political theories, social sciences and providing advises to the Party Central Com-

19
mittee and the State of Laos on policy studies assigned by the superiors; responding and providing
information, documents and theoretical counseling services to boards and branches on social sciences.
The re-establishment of the Lao Academy of Social Sciences in 2006 has showed a new
mindset and vision on social sciences in Laos, creating a new beginning for Lao social sciences.
However, in reality, social science studies have been existed within institutes of such ministries as
ministry of culture, of communication, of education and training, etc.;
In the last 7 years (from 2007 to 2013), Lao Academy of Social Sciences has conducted more
than 40 projects of state, ministerial and institutional level on political, socio-economic, cultural life

of Lao, etc.; and continues to implement the 23 projects of all levels in the years of 2013-2014. There
are 7 projects being deployed with the cooperation of the government and foreign organizations.
In general, the number of projects is not much. Although they have mentioned about prob-
lems in Lao society and the development of Lao social sciences, their progress is still slow. Only a
few works among them have been published and introduced to the public, but they have not attracted
good number of readers.
The training on social sciences is conducted primarily in departments/disciplines at the Na-
tional University of Laos. Beginning in 1997, the social sciences and humanities are still very young.
In June, 2000, the department of social sciences and humanities was independently established, ini-
tially with the low number of students. Regarding the library science alone, by 2011, the National
University of Laos opened the new specialized information-library discipline with 14 students enrol-
ling to the course.
The leading agency in information and documentation in Laos is the National Library of
Laos, and then the Institute of Information and Lao Social Science Journal, which was founded in
2011 (was formerly the Information, Documentation and Library Center). The institute is responsible
for the research, documentation collection and exchange of documents mainly in the field of social
sciences and humanities.
The documents of the Party and State of Laos on information, documentation and library
previously were not much and such things were mentioned very sketchy. The documents of the 7
th
, 8
th

and 9
th
Congress of the People's Revolutionary Party of Laos mention about information; however,
they only pay attention to mass media, which are information and communication of the press, radio
and television and electronic media but not information, documentation and library activities.
Given the status quo of little information and documentation resources, libraries develop
moderately and these limitations on Lao social science development have shown such correlation that,

the development of information and documentation is not meaningful for research and development
of social sciences in Laos, as well as Lao social sciences have not promoted the development of in-
formation, documentation because if there is no research and research promotion, there would not be
the development of documentation and document usage and mining.
3.3. Issues facing the exploitation of information, documentation and library for the de-
velopment of social sciences and some predictions on the responsive ability of information and
documentation on the development of Lao social sciences in the future
3.3.1. Issues facing information, documentation and library activities in Laos and their
roles in the current development of Lao social sciences
Currently, Lao Academy of Social Sciences is conducting a development orientation pro-
gram on Lao social sciences and information, documentation in the near future. However, when look-

20
ing at the status quo of Lao social sciences as well as the current context of the world information and
documentation development and the requirement of developing information, documentation and
library in Laos, we find that:
- In the context of the growing development of information technology, with the current situ-
ation of human capacity, information resources, infrastructure for operation, the information, docu-
mentation and library activities in Laos can not contribute to promote the social development of Laos
as well as the development of Lao social sciences.
- The requirements for development, improving the role and position, and promoting the im-
pacts of social sciences on the development of the country in the context of globalization and interna-
tional integration, Laos has to well carry information activities to provide information arguments and
foundations for building and developing theories on socio-economic, national welfare and people's
livelihood issues, etc.
- The demands for learning, exploitation of information and documentation in political, so-
cio-economic issues of the public as well as the majority of community towards social sciences and
social issues are growing. Such demands need a responsive strategy at least in the near future…
As stated above, the information, documentation and library activities in Laos in the nearly
last 40 years have almost not been meaningful for the development of Lao social sciences as well as

society. Information, documentation and library have a comparatively hard history of establishment,
development and construction although there have been investment co-operations and they have been
present in social life.
3.3.2. Forecasts on the information, documentation capabilities for the development of
Lao social sciences
In the context of the growing development of information technology, the current situation of
human capacity, information resources, and infrastructure for information, documentation and library
services in Laos could not have contributed to promote Lao social development as well as the devel-
opment of Lao social sciences. Information activities in Laos are required to perform effectively to
provide arguments and foundations for building and developing theories on socio-economic, national
welfare and people's livelihood issues. The demands for learning, exploitation of information and
documentation in political, socio-economic issues of the public as well as the majority of community
towards social sciences and social issues are growing. Such demands need a responsive strategy at
least in the near future…
Conclusion of Chapter 3

Chapter 4
Some orientations and solutions to enhance the role of information, documentation and
library to meet the development demands for social sciences in the People's Democratic Repub-
lic of Laos
The status quo of information and documentation activities in Laos today is limited and
weak. Thus, regarding orientations and measures to enhance the role of information, documentation
and library in Laos, apart from promoting the efficiency of available information and resources and
outcomes from the operations recently, it is important and crucial to create new facilities, making new
resources, new and modern forms of activities for the fields of information, documentation and li-
brary.

21
4.1. Some orientations to enhance the role of information, documentation and library in
the development of Lao social sciences in the coming period

In the next years, directions and policies for changing the situation are needed. These direc-
tions and policies focus on many aspects both on main points and comprehensiveness.
The Thesis gives 9 orienting points (aspects) to develop and enhance the role of information,
documentation and library in the development of Social Sciences in Laos in the near future:
First, to essentially diversify and improve the quality of information and document re-
sources; making the development of qualified and high quality human resources in information and
library the breakthrough step.
Second, to enhance the role of state management in information, documentation and library
activities for reasonable and frequent adjustments and changes to meet the development trend of the
diversified and various information society.
Third, to scheme the information, documentation and library staff; to strengthen the training
and retraining of information, documentation and library staff towards standardization and profes-
sionalization; to have suitable remuneration for information, documentation and library staff.
Fourth, to invest in infrastructure and technical systems to modernize information, documen-
tation and library activities with full advanced facilities for the information and documentation search,
exploitation and preservation as well as other professional library activities.
Fifth, information, documentation and library activities have to change quickly to update fac-
tual information, improving the quality of information, heading towards serving socio-economic
information demands, meeting the demands of the public and information users, and towards serving
information the society need, not the information they own.
Sixth, to focus on enhancing the role of information, documentation and library activities in
scientific research; regularly updating information on socio-economy, and social sciences; having
adequate investment in updating scientific information and documentation.
Seventh, to construct a “unified, standard, sharing and integrated’ information, documenta-
tion and library system.
Eighth, the Party and Government of Laos need to have a "leapfrog" mechanism even if its
potential is not strong enough, because if Laos does not take advantage of the opportunity of the
followers, it will always be slow in the fields of science. Thus, go right away to modernization, posi-
tively and proactively learning and leveraging experiences and scientific achievements of the prede-
cessors will help Laos to move fast forward

Ninth, in the next few decades, due to limited capacity of infrastructure, technical facilities
and human resources, the Party and State of Laos should prioritize information studies, information
gathering and exchange in the areas of politics, economics, law, humans ; translating foreign docu-
ments to directly serve the strategic goals of integration, socio-economic development and basically
social science development.
4.2. Some solutions to develop information, documentation and library to meet the needs
of Lao social sciences
The Thesis proposes 7 solutions to develop and enhance the role of information, documenta-
tion and library in the development of social sciences in Laos in the near future, namely:
First, build and select models of information, documentation and library personnel training

22
Second, link scientific research with information, documentation activities; connecting doc-
umentation – library activities with information studies.
Third, develop information – library resources, building collections and standardized infor-
mation – documentation centers towards modernization of infrastructure and technical facilities; to
constantly acquire information – documentation resources and develop professional behaviors for
information, documentation and library staff.
Fourth, regularly conduct training courses on information mining skills and organization for
researchers, businesses, students, and other kinds of users.
Fifth, strengthen international cooperation in scientific research and exchange of information
and documents on the international level; fully utilize the outside information resources.
Sixth, strengthen information sharing between universities and research institutes, especially
in specialized fields.
Seventh, adequately invest in financial resources, properly allocate the budget for infor-
mation, documentation and library studies; equip sustainable information technology infrastructure.
Conclusion of Chapter 4

CONCLUSION
The studies of Russia, the West and Vietnam have showed the important role of information

in the development of society, of sciences in general and of social scences in particular. However, for
the case of Laos, these issues have not really been interested in.
Information is a controversial term, but from the reflective philosophical approach to infor-
mation, it is all reflections of the outside materials in different storage and communication mecha-
nisms that humans can recognize and make use in their lives.
Information is obtained via the integrated storage and exchange of information. For infor-
mation to be more profound, easy to find and valuable to social activities and scientific research, such
sources of information must be gained from research and is consciously, systematically stored, i.e. via
information activities.
It will not be information without being exchanged and disseminated; that means it has to go
through information activities, in which document storage, exchange, readers services in the library
are basic activities of information. Therefore, information also links closely to documentation and
library.
In fact, information, documentation and library independent concepts but they closely interre-
late to each other through various intertwined activities. In particular, information is the basic concept
whose content embraces both documentation and library, because the nature of documentation and
library is also information.
As a form of consciousness of human spirit, which is distilled from human social life (aware-
ness, understanding, knowledge ), information, documentation and library have a great role to the
activities of human life and activities of social science research. We can not conduct any activities or
studies without information. It can be said that information is the component tool, means and content
of such activities.
In their distinctive meanings, information, documentation and library in particular have a cer-
tain role and position as well as different meanings for society and social science studies. However,
this is only comparatively distinctive.

23
Today, there are many modes of information and documentation expression; nevertheless,
document and library collections are common and most powerful methods. Therefore, information,
documentation studies can not be separated from library; and within the epistemological perspective,

concepts go together with factual activities: information activities (which wider is information –
documentation activities, narrower is scientific information, information - library activities), library
activities.
Upon selection of this topic, we want to study and learn about the issues of information, doc-
umentation and library as well as information, documentation and library activities; the most basic
role of information, documentation and library activities to serve as a basis for conducting a case
study in Laos.
Looking into Laos, Laos remains a country with low social and economic standards(the in-
come per capita is 1,349 USD in the year 2012), a country on the way to develop with lots of limita-
tions and shortcomings.
In terms of the information and documentation in general and social science information in
particular, in the nearly last forty years, there have been no noticeable information – documentation
centers (including a large library) although in fact, Laos has had a library system from central to
district level, mobile book vehicles and mobile book boats, types of library characterized for such
hilly and water terrains.
Due to its special historical, geographical conditions, information, documentation and library
activities are more or less limited. It is the consequence of development in the past and partly of the
current conditions and policies.
It can be seen that, within the last 400 years, Laos has stored information and documents in
pagodas, which has been still sketchy and heavily influenced by the occupation as well as the policies
and culture of France and the United States.
Under the French colony, the French built libraries but due to low literacy levels, the use of
library as well as information and documentation exploitation were limited. Americans, in turn, the
library system was developed to the provincial level but as most documents were written in English,
they limited the number of users due to the language barrier. In the integration and development
trends of all fields, information, documentation and library activities of Laos also need new additional
development steps.
Inheriting the folk style of storage (using Baylan leaves in pagodas) and being influenced by
the information, documentation activities of the French and the American, the information document
resources of Laos are relatively poor and limited, having no great influence on the socio-cultural life

of the public and no great value for Lao social sciences.
Lao social science activities have become official since 1990s and were the newly re-
established in 2006. In general, the social science research activities of are still fragmented, lack of
professionalism and necessary depth. Training activities on information, documentation have been
started in recent years with limitations in quantity and quality.
There are many factors affecting the information. documentation and library activities in
Laos: the impacts of war, reading culture, development policies, investment capital (Chapter III).
Such factors pose many problems to be concerned and studied about information, documenta-
tion and library in Laos so that it is able to change the situation and promote the impacts of infor-
mation and documentation on life and sciences.

24
Regarding development policy and guidelines of Laos, previously, the policy and guidelines
for the development of information, documentation and library were not mentioned. Since innovation,
particularly in recent years, Laos has shown more or less such awareness on the state level; however,
they were only mentioned briefly in the speeches of responsible senior leadership or in the Party
documents and yet to be built into concrete policies.
In the next years, there should have policy guidelines to change the situation. These solutions
should focus on many aspects both on main points and comprehensiveness.
In the fourth chapter of the Thesis, we have proposed 9 aspects of direction and 7 specific so-
lutions to promote the development of information, library activities, bringing into play the role and
influence of information, library on Lao society, sciences in general and social sciences in particular.
Through the Thesis, we want to contribute to the purpose of developing information, docu-
mentation and library in Laos so that in the next two decades, Laos could integrate and develop, there
are reliable professionals, major information centers capable of providing information resources for
users’ demands and thereby, responding to the social development in general, the development of
social sciences in particular.