Source: www.sysustudent.net
Written by: Ian J. Heuer
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

Even as members of my generational cohort, the so-called “millennials” are swept forward in the seemingly inexorable swell of modern technology, I have always felt an affinity for the tactile nature of physical books, newspapers, and magazines. Some have branded me as a nostalgist, but there is something about the physical experiences associated with these media that I have always been drawn to. Whether it’s tracking your progress through a long novel by watching the slow march of your bookmark down the book’s binding or basking in the blissful solitude of a bunker-like reading room where must hangs in the air like pollen, there is an allure to these experiences that goes beyond just the words on the page. Naturally, libraries have always been my haven. My first job was re-shelving books at my local library as a teenager. My second job was in the inter-library loan unit in my university’s library system. After moving to Guangzhou, international students are often most eager to check out the local music or dining scenes. For me, it was the library scene. Luckily, as a student at Sun Yat-sen University, one of the best libraries in the city was at my immediate disposal.

The library building and its surroundings are themselves emblematic of the unique charm of SYSU’s campus. The approach to the building is canopied by a variety of tall spindly trees, lending the walkway an intimate and earthy atmosphere. On the right side of the approach there is a quintessentially Chinese public amenity: all of the mornings major daily newspapers have been pinned up in full on bulletin boards and are available to the public for leisurely perusal. 

Once inside the library itself, the first room is the brightly lit circulation area. The long desk is well-staffed and surrounded by a perpetual bustle. Given my status as a perennial overdue returner, I typically avert my gaze and briskly make my way in to the first reading room. It is here that the first of the library’s strengths is on display. The ground floor reading room is cavernous and quiet (and well air-conditioned during the summer months). The space is pervaded by a uniquely scholastic sense of communal endeavor.

Despite my fondness for this vibe, I prefer to head to the foreign book section on the third floor. The collection is impressive — among the best in the city — covering all major academic disciplines and featuring a wide selection of American, European and World literature. This section is housed in its own room. Low ceilings and natural light give the space a homey feeling, while the gentle rustle of turning pages and hushed whispers maintains a feeling of community.

The third floor foreign books section also boasts a sweeping view of the library courtyard. Whether its for making a phone call, taking a smoke break, or just gazing at the stone bust of Chinese literary lion Lu Xun, the courtyard is usually full of students criss-crossing the paths through its gardens.