VietNamNet Bridge – After a revamp, the American Center library under the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in HCMC resumed operation early this month with a number of changes and improvements.

A visitor looks for books at the American Center library

Located on the eighth floor of the Diamond Plaza building at 34 Le Duan Boulevard in District 1, the American Center has what is the best equipped library in the city.

Visitors are simply required to show their ID to gain access to the library. Those frequenting the center can register for membership with staff at the center, or make online registration on its Facebook page or the U.S. Consulate General website.

Membership card holders can bring books home for 15 days. Readers who need to do research or study can sign up for E-learning accounts to participate in different courses provided by the center.

The center has around 2,500 reference books in multiple fields including general reference books, U.S. reference books, U.S. history, government, foreign policy, economics, trade, geography, travel, art, science, technology, environment, health, American literature and culture, along with 56 magazines and newspapers.

There is also a collection of CD/DVDs, including American documentaries, movies, educational collection series and English study series. With 750 DVDs, visitors can freely watch movies on a large screen.

The computer area has 18 new computers equipped with headphones and microphones. They are all available free of charge for high-speed Internet connection.

In particular, the center has 30 iPads for use on the spot. This is a new effort of the center to digitize some books and documents to meet the increasing needs of readers.

Previously, readers had to wait weeks or longer to read print magazines published in the U.S. but thanks to those tablets, they can promptly have the latest issues of those magazines.

The center also has an area providing materials about study in the U.S. with many books and resources about U.S. universities, colleges, courses of study, scholarships and testing preparation materials (TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, GRE). Those having demand can also register to receive free advice from staff there.

Hi-tech lovers can find a place to enjoy themselves at the American Center. This hi-tech area at the library has been widely developed in America, an indication that libraries are where not just to study and research but also to experience new technologies. Participants can experience advanced technologies or create their own hi-tech products using skills and knowledge they learn from training courses at the center.

The American Center is also where public events are organized for the general public free of charge. These programs include film showings, U.S. speaker programs, exhibitions and fairs, and book and article discussions. Public events are announced on the Consulate General website and on the Facebook page of the center.

SGT