THE Ministry of Information has released figures showing it received donations with a total value of about K23 million since August to support the establishment of self-reliance libraries throughout the country.

The donations included more than K5 million in cash and 190,000 books and other publications valued at about K18 million, the figures show.

The ministry has set a target of establishing the libraries in more than 500,000 communities during 2005 and 2006.

Well-wishers donated nearly 130,000 books worth about K5 million and about K1.5 million in cash in August. About 124,000 books valued at about K5.4 million and K90,000 in cash were donated to the ministry in early September.

At the latest donation ceremony, held at the ministry on Theinbyu Street on September 25, 46,785 books and other publications worth K7.8 million and K3.9 million in cash were handed over.

The Minister for Information, Brigadier General Kyaw San, said in an address at the ceremony that the self-reliance libraries would help the 80 per cent of the people who lived in rural areas to develop a greater interest in literature.

Since the ministry launched the self-reliance library program in 1997, more than 8000 have been established in villages throughout Myanmar.