In Cambodia, where educational access and resources vary widely between urban and rural communities, public libraries and community learning centers (CLCs) have emerged as essential tools for lifelong learning and social development. Over the past two decades, these institutions have helped rebuild a culture of reading and provided communities with safe, supportive spaces to learn, explore, and connect.
The Growing Importance of Public Libraries
Public libraries in Cambodia play an increasingly significant role in promoting literacy and expanding access to knowledge. While the country’s library system is still developing, many libraries — especially those supported by NGOs and local organizations — provide free reading spaces, children’s programs, and access to basic information resources.
For many Cambodians, particularly in rural areas, public libraries offer the first meaningful access to books and educational materials. They host storytelling sessions, reading clubs, homework support, and cultural activities that foster both literacy and community engagement. As Cambodia continues to strengthen its education system, these libraries complement formal schooling by nurturing reading habits and curiosity.
Community Learning Centers: Flexible Learning for Real Needs
Community Learning Centers (CLCs), supported by Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport along with various development partners, offer non-formal education for people of all ages. These centers adapt their programs to local needs, making learning accessible, practical, and community-driven.
Typical programs include basic literacy, Khmer language classes, vocational skills training, digital literacy, health education, agriculture-related workshops, and leadership development activities. For youth who left formal schooling early, CLCs provide alternative pathways to education. For adults, especially women, they offer opportunities to gain new skills, earn income, or participate more actively in community life.
Because CLCs often operate within village halls, schools, or community-built spaces, they serve as familiar, welcoming environments where learning feels accessible rather than intimidating.
A Real Example: Sipar’s Community Libraries
One of the most influential library initiatives in Cambodia comes from the NGO Sipar, which has been promoting reading since the 1990s. Sipar has helped establish hundreds of school libraries, mobile libraries, and community libraries across the country, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Its mobile library tuk-tuks and vans travel to villages, pagodas, and small community centers, delivering books and organizing reading activities. These mobile units have become beloved symbols of reading promotion in the country.
Sipar’s director, Youk Sambath, once emphasized the transformative power of libraries by saying: “When children discover books, they discover possibilities. For many of them, a storybook is the first window into a wider world.”
This reflects the profound impact that even small, simple libraries can have in rural Cambodian communities — opening doors to imagination, knowledge, and confidence.
Challenges and Future Potential
Despite progress, Cambodia’s public libraries and CLCs face challenges such as limited funding, shortages of trained librarians, insufficient book collections, and a lack of modern equipment. Many rural communities still rely heavily on NGO support for their libraries to function effectively.
Yet the potential is enormous. With growing interest in reading and digital learning among Cambodian youth, libraries and CLCs can become crucial bridges to digital inclusion, skills development, and community empowerment.
Conclusion: Building a Stronger Learning Culture
Public libraries and community learning centers in Cambodia are more than places to borrow books — they are gateways to opportunity. By supporting literacy, lifelong learning, and community engagement, they help build a more informed and empowered society. As Cambodia continues to develop, expanding and strengthening these learning spaces will be vital in nurturing the next generation of thinkers, readers, and leaders.
