中正舊圖書館 Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Library
The tall white building is the new library which marked the dramatic growth in research and scholarship at National Central University. Yet the university has not forgotten its past. The square building standing in front of us is what everyone calls the Old Library. It is officially referred to as the CHIANG KAI-SHEK Memorial Library, named after the giant of R.O.C history. The statue of this former president of our country stands right behind you, now visited only by birds. Actually, this is a very common phenomenon: dozens of libraries in Taiwan are named after him, for political purposes, probably.
The CKS Library was the very first library built of NCU, built in 1971 after the school was relocated in Taiwan. At that time, this library didn’t house all the books of campus; in fact, every college had their own reading rooms for the books in their professional knowledge fields. Later on, for management purposes, many of these smaller reading rooms gave their books to the main library. As the university got larger, more and more departments were established, and more and more books were bought. The building seemed too small for such a big university, so the university began building its new library.
In 1993, the construction of the New Library was completed, but the CKS Library was not just deserted. It was transformed into a multi-functional building, with an Art Exhibition Gallery, some Administrative offices, and an Audio-visual Center on the second floor. Exhibitions of paintings, carvings and calligraphy are held here every month.
As you walk around our campus, you may notice that the most popular trees seem to be Pines and firs. Well, that’s true—because the pine tree stands for the spirit of our university, perseverance. What you may not know is that the CKS Memorial library has the only Cherry tree on campus. It is located in the middle courtyard of the Library. It’s a pity that this is not the season for Cherry Blossoms. But if you have a chance to come to NCU again in April, make sure to visit the cherry blossoms here. It’s the best time to immerse yourself in the sweet smell and the falling pink petals. You don’t have to go to Japan to catch the Cherry Blossoms Season. It’s right here, in Taiwan, at NCU, and right here in the CKS Library!!!
The tall white building is the new library which marked the dramatic growth in research and scholarship at National Central University. Yet the university has not forgotten its past. The square building standing in front of us is what everyone calls the Old Library. It is officially referred to as the CHIANG KAI-SHEK Memorial Library, named after the giant of R.O.C history. The statue of this former president of our country stands right behind you, now visited only by birds. Actually, this is a very common phenomenon: dozens of libraries in Taiwan are named after him, for political purposes, probably. The CKS Library was the very first library built of NCU, built in 1971 after the school was relocated in Taiwan. At that time, this library didn’t house all the books of campus; in fact, every college had their own reading rooms for the books in their professional knowledge fields. Later on, for management purposes, many of these smaller reading rooms gave their books to the main library. As the university got larger, more and more departments were established, and more and more books were bought. The building seemed too small for such a big university, so the university began building its new library.
In 1993, the construction of the New Library was completed, but the CKS Library was not just deserted. It was transformed into a multi-functional building, with an Art Exhibition Gallery, some Administrative offices, and an Audio-visual Center on the second floor. Exhibitions of paintings, carvings and calligraphy are held here every month.As you walk around our campus, you may notice that the most popular trees seem to be Pines and firs. Well, that’s true—because the pine tree stands for the spirit of our university, perseverance. What you may not know is that the CKS Memorial library has the only Cherry tree on campus. It is located in the middle courtyard of the Library. It’s a pity that this is not the season for Cherry Blossoms. But if you have a chance to come to NCU again in April, make sure to visit the cherry blossoms here. It’s the best time to immerse yourself in the sweet smell and the falling pink petals. You don’t have to go to Japan to catch the Cherry Blossoms Season. It’s right here, in Taiwan, at NCU, and right here in the CKS Library!!!