The AV Center

Like every other university in the world, Chang Gung has its own motto: 勤勞樸實, which literally means diligence and plainness. Based on this attitude, things tend to last long until they are really out of use. Among all these 1980-ish facilities, the AV center is one of them that I don't complain much about.

The picture above shows parts of the lobby of the AV center. Armchairs, TVs, air-con...it's got everything required to qualify an AV center. But instead of stately decoration that you might associate an university with, this place does seem to be a little bit plain (which successfully brings out our motto, I guess.) 


The AV center is located on the fifth floor of the library. You have two possible ways to get here. One of course is by taking the library elevator. Or you can consider taking the Engineering Building elevator and then take a few turns. I prefer the latter because it's a lot less crowded. Three out of six Engineering Building elevators can get you directly to the fifth floor. The other two may take you to the sixth floor but you can always walk down the stairs. While there's no such a set of stairs in the library that can lead you to the AV center, which is INSIDE the library. Weird enough, huh?

During your walk to the center, you will see these lockers as shown in the picture above. I would also like to point out how little these lockers are known to CGU students. You can actually put your stuff in it, FOR FREE! But only for a day. Make sure to take out your things before closing time otherwise you will have to retrieve them on the next day through the counter in the AV center. Also, most of the time, only lockers #76~#101 are available. As for how to use it, there are instructions on the lockers. (It's a combination lock, really easy to use. Don't hesitate to try it.)

Here comes the entrance. Note that it closes 20 minutes earlier than the library closing time.

Walking in, you'll first notice this area.

There're three sections like this in total. Channels like Discovery, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Star Channel, VL Sports, and FOX Sports are available here. Please contact the counter if you have any other channel request.

Coming up next is the computer section. 

I don't usually recommend this area. First of all, the chairs don't seem firm to me. Second, in order to use computers of this section, you have to inform the counter first and then they will get the power on. That's just too much work to be done. My advice would be that you either use computers on the first floor to Google things up or later I can show you a better solution. 

Next to the computer section is our main part. This is where you enjoy your movies.

When borrowing DVDs, you will be told where your seat is. Don't understand what he/she is saying? No problem. Check out the number on top of the remote control you get. It will be corresponding to the seat number.

Next I'd like to introduce some misused areas.  Item number one.

I've never seen anyone use this appliance. But I've seen people sitting here maybe dozing off, or maybe quietly chatting many times. It's not hard to understand. After all, this place is located in the corner with dim lights and provides you much privacy.

 (*sometimes with no lights at all)

Item number two.

People do use this to watch TV. I've seen viewers using this station one or two times in my three-year life here. But there's more to it than that. To me, this place is the best alternative study center during mit-term and final exams. It has accompanied me through numerous struggles of Calculus, Economics, Statistics, and the list goes on.

Moving on, we're heading to the viewing rooms.

This room is actually quite nice. You can arrange the sofas however you feel comfortable with. There're even some chairs with tables as you can see in the picture above, making it suitable for meeting purposes other than relaxation. However, the chairs aren't all the same in every viewing room. This is a picture I took from the viewing room 6.

To use a viewing room, you'll need three people present and one student ID card during the application to using.

Next we have, be prepared for what I'm about to say, the Telex Caramate Carousel Slide Projector Viewer section. Yes, I Googled it.

Never have I ever seen anyone linger in this area. The device is just so old that we rarely use these days. Even couples don't want to make the best out of this sort of abandoned section. I'm guessing they are satisfied with misused item #1. Plus, chairs there are way better than the fragile ones here. But who knows? Maybe you can be the first one to use this facility. Send me a text if you are to try it. I am dying to see how it works, or rather, if it works.


Keep on walking, then we enter the collection section. Follow the footprints, you'll discover what I prepared for you earlier, "a better solution." Another computer!

No need to report in advance. This computer is always on. And it can access whatever site you want to Google. For example, maybe you feel like watching a trailer before borrowing DVDs, YouTube is a good way to conduct this research and is accessible here. 

For online catalogues, CGU Library has got an English homepage for you. Type in what you want to watch. Then you get this page.

Sometimes you just can't seem to find that video on the shelf even it shows the green light. No big deal. Try these two spots: the shelves in the first row and the little wagon. Librarians tend to stock DVD piles here when they are too busy to put them back.

The AV center also hosts eight movie nights a month. The selected movies will be played on the big screen and in a viewing room much bigger than I mentioned earlier (but the armchairs there are fixed though.)

Last but not least, if you are interested in none of these movies then what? Ask the school to buy one! First you open the Library homepage.

This place is actually one of the few things I like about CGU. No sarcasm intended. I don't know if you've heard of the Anywhere Door in Doraemon or the Portkey in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but watching movies at the AV center kinda gives me a sense like that. It grants me an imagination outside of Chang Gung and an eagerness to achieve better myself when I graduate from Chang Gung. I don't even bother to open a door or touch a goblet, just sit back and relax, and the magic happens. That's why I like the AV center. I'm just glad that I get to share it with you today.