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Center for Khmer Studies Library

Following decades of civil war and the targeted destruction of its educational resources, Cambodia faced a crisis in the preservation of its literary heritage. In this context, where access to books was almost non-existent and public libraries were only available to the average Cambodian in Phnom Penh, CKS began to build a library collection specializing in Cambodian and Southeast Asian history and culture. 

Since opening in 2001, the CKS Library collection has grown from a few hundred to over 19,000 titles. With a very modest budget, the CKS Library owes its development to the dynamism of its Cambodian team and the generosity of individual donors. Situated within Wat Damnak, a thriving Buddhist monastery in the heart of Siem Reap, the CKS Library is the largest academic library in Cambodia outside of the capital and the second most important for the social sciences and humanities throughout the country.

Our collection, managed by two CKS-trained Cambodian librarians, serves as an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers from Cambodia and overseas, local students, monks, and for the general public. 

The Library is open to all, free of charge, from Monday through Saturday. The majority of Cambodian visitors are high school teachers and students, researchers, Buddhist monks, and professional tour guides. Young Cambodians drop by daily to read alongside international scholars and researchers.

Our journal collection has expanded to include, among others: Kambuja Soriya, Bulletin de l’École française d’Extrême-Orient, Aséanie, and Asian Perspectives, as well as the journals of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization’s Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SPAFA) and the Siam Society. The collection also contains unique, out-of-print publications from local and overseas libraries, a wide selection of M.A. and Ph.D. dissertations from overseas universities, and research papers by Cambodian university students and CKS Fellows. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, directories, maps, guidebooks, and daily national newspapers in English, French, and Khmer are also available for reference. 

We offer public computers with Internet access and a performing arts media station featuring traditional Cambodian music.

We appreciate support for our library collection. Please consider making a book donation from our wish list.  

  • CKS is pleased to announce that CKS Library online catalog account holders can now access and download resources from JSTOR remotely. 
  • We provides free access to Research4life, an online, peer-reviewed academic and professional website, through its five programs: Hinari, AGORAARDIOARE, and GOALI. Users can only access these resources at the CKS Library’s facilities.

  • For resources on urban studies in Cambodia – including academic and grey literature, quantitative data, master plans, images, and more – visit the Cambodia Urban Database, a resource developed by CKS.
  • For researchers seeking photographs and administrative documents related to Siem Reap during Cambodia’s UNTAC period (1992-93), please contact the CKS Librarian for access to the Benny Widyono Collection.

  • For those seeking Khmer studies resources, we recommend you visit the website of the Association d’échanges et de formation pour les études khmères (AEFEK). It features a variety of high-quality audiovisual materials which may be of academic interest.

More About Our Library

Serene Spot by Angkor Wat

I tried to find a public library near Siem Reap, Cambodia, but after a lot of searching, the most substantive information seemed to be from the Ecole française d’Extrême-Orient who wrote me that “public libraries are only available…in the capital…”  Luckily, though it’s actually an NGO, the Center for Khmer Studies provides this essential service at Wat Damnak, a temple complex not far from my hotel.

In our email exchange, Oum Daraneth, CKS Library‘s Head Librarian, confirmed the lack of institutions and she and Zach Nader from the New York branch graciously allowed me to take photographs.

The titular locale of the massive UNESCO World Heritage Site
CKS library
Fits Gabriel García Márquez’s vision of paradise as “…a kind of library.”

Set on the gorgeous and blessedly shady (it’s very hot and humid here) grounds of a Buddhist monastery and spread over several buildings, CKSL has more than 20,000 items.  The wide gravel path leading to the facility is bordered by scooters and motorbikes, Bermuda grass and fragrant frangipani trees.  A short wooden stairway outside is littered with pairs of shoes which are removed before entering.

Though only closed on Sunday, it’s always busy and well used by a diverse population from erudite researchers to elementary school age.  The collection has Khmer, English, and French items, out of print periodicals and tomes, plus dissertations and theses from CKS fellows and Cambodians studying abroad.

Founded by an international consortium of universities, organizations, individuals and scholars, CKS started gathering materials on the country and region’s history and opened, free of charge to all, in 2001.

At the desk I met Sivleng (first names come last here), the other CKS trained Cambodian employee.  Her English was excellent and she was so hospitable and friendly as she gave me a tour.  She and Daraneth manage the collection with an assistant.

Chhor Sivleng, Research Librarian

In the Reading Room, an elegant donation box on spindly leg stands by a huge nature themed mural covering one wall.  A surface contains a mini booksale and long two sided tables conveniently sport electrical plugs and a row of double reading lamps.

As well as books, the library offers maps, daily newspapers, internet access, free wifi and DVDs and CDs about the society and culture.  Daraneth wrote me that anyone can come and browse, but only those with member cards can take things outside to read on the terrace.

CKS bookshelves
Monks and kids alike enjoy CKS
Shrine to some of those who made this place possibleS

Since there is an academic intent, CKSL has JSTOR access for Senior Fellows and is the first in Southeast Asia to be elected a member of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers.  A joint ILL agreement with the resource development library in Phnom Penh increases the scope of what’s available and CKS is looking for additional complementary partnerships.

A performing arts media station features images, audios and videos of traditional music and dance.

One of three public PCs
Doors are wide open to catch every breeze and cats wander in and out.

The history of the Khmer Rouge is loaded on five tablets from Bophana.

CKS is an important resource for Cambodians interested in both past and future.  Its journal, In Focus, publishes scholarly articles and they host a number of programs that will benefit the people and nation as they modernize.  The Siem Reap location is the headquarters so adults can go to talks, films and documentaries in a red and white conference hall on the premises.

When the Center hosted a private screening of First, They Killed My Father, the ensuing discussion was led by producer Rithy Panh while in the library, casualties of the Khmer Rouge discussed their horrid ordeals with director, producer and writer, Angelina Jolie.

Fresh air meeting area

CKSL promotes librarianship and has held professionally taught workshops attended by librarians from all over the land. Even the legendary Nancy Pearl came to speak about reading advocacy.  And CKS believes in continuing education: Daraneth spent time at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, training on WorldCat and helping correct entries and romanize Khmer.  She has also learned about metadata, conservation and other elements of bibliographic systems at Cornell.

The library has a lovely little children’s section to “encourage them to read, both English and Khmer.”  Sometimes a volunteer will tell stories or give an art session and they invite kids from the primary school next door as Daraneth aids in translation.

 

I spy titles from the Clifford the Big Red Dog series and other familiar paperbacks amidst the ones in the native tongue and some teaching proficiency in two languages.  CKS’s librarians also give users courses on library use and welcome visitors. 

Colorful mobiles dangle from the ceiling and cheerful artwork decks the walls.  Youngsters can plop on pads and mats keep their clothes clean.

Pretty script

As we head across the lawn to the second building, I notice a wheelchair ramp, still unusual in this part of the globe.

CKSL quickly outgrew its original premises, and thanks to the generous Board of Trustees, in 2010, their Royal Patron, Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, inaugurated the newly constructed annex where fragile texts are preserved under dust screens on aerated shelves protected from damaging sunlight.  On this festive day, His Majesty also presented CKS with unique archival records from the reign of his father, King Sihanouk, an excellent Khmer dictionary and a munificent financial contribution.

The Nancy N. Lassalle Librarians’ Office, named for a vital donor who provides most of the annual funding, shares space with ancient volumes of Indochina history and antique issues of The Mekong Times and Le Figaro.

 

Large cases have thin, oversize drawers holding precious old maps and a sign wisely requests books be left on the cart (instead of misplaced in the stacks ).

Many residents just come here to relax as the tree strewn campus is an oasis from the heat, and nowhere more so than on the library’s verandas.  Next to potted ferns, students curl up in wicker chairs by inset ledges, which, along with a bench on the outer side serve as al fresco desks.  Sitting cross legged on the cool tiles, gaze at the water below as you reflect on what you’ve learned.

What a wonderful setting for a library that is desperately needed and an obvious asset to this famous metropolis.  How astute of the Center to identify and champion the one establishment that can make the greatest difference.  With CKS and CKSL’s help, I believe the future will bring substantially expanded public service to Cambodia.

At the far end of the structure, I mounted steep steps to the catwalk for an impressive view.
Students

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