Bangkok Library Digital library and information center for Bangkok, Thailand

Even though it commands one of the best and trendiest locations in Bankgok, nestled between MBK and the Siam Shopping Center complex, and has already been open for five months, few people seem to know about or have visited the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). It would seem that even fewer people know there is a very spacious and modern-looking library on the lower ground floor, called the Art Library (Thai: ห้องสมุดศิลปะ).

Things might change by mid-2009 when thirty-three shops and restaurants open on floors 1 to 4 and attract more visitors, but my guess is this will remain a niche library for art students and those wanting to do their college work in a quiet place.

Entering the lower ground floor or basement level via an attractive flight of stairs, the first thing that caught my eye was the large empty foyer area outside the library. Despite its basement location, some natural light still manages to make its way from the library. It’s not dingy, and it’s nothing like the libraries I frequented from my early childhood through to my teenage years.

On the day I visited, the circulation desk was staffed by an all-female team of helpful librarians. Featured books were on show nearby, and whilst most of the library stock was oriented to the visual arts (in both Thai and English) there were other sections for general reference and fiction. Unfortunately for foreign visitors, almost all of the latter were in Thai language only.

Whilst in the library, I tried one of the ten public computer workstations. The PC was a recent model with a 2.66 GB Duo CPU and 2 GB of RAM. Although named the Internet Zone, the connection was not particularly fast but quite usable for general web browsing. The library uses Internet café kiosk software and gives all visitors up to 60 minutes of computer time; just ask at the desk and they will unlock a screen for you.

In one section of the library is a small children’s library named the Kid’s Corner.

Despite its English name and an attractive selection of new books, I couldn’t find any English-language titles; however, there were several books well-known to English readers that had been translated into Thai. Bearing in mind the sorry state of English language tuition in most Thai schools, it would be nice if the library could buy more English language books to promote reading during the formative years.

The children’s library was an inviting place to visit, decorated with bright colors and filled with toys. Without doubt, it should appeal to children and their parents but I don’t suppose that it will make much impact on a nation that is obsessed with online games, graphic novels and comic books. Still, it's a welcome step in the right direction.

There was plenty of comfortable, sometimes trendy looking seating in the library, and for the limited number of visitors, sufficient reading and desk space. If you would like to browse through the art books, perhaps search out a book in English, or have young children who might enjoy the Kid’s Corner, the Art Library at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is a good place to visit. If nothing else, it’s a welcome break from the packed aisles of the MBK Shopping Center.

Opening times

Open every day (except Monday) from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Address

The Art Library at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
939 Rama 1 Road
Wang Mai
Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand

Getting there

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is right next to the National Stadium BTS Station (take exit number three). The library is on the lower ground floor, level L.