Isan or Northeastern Thailand, was once a prosperous land with a long history of civillzation and cultural heritage. Isan heritage has been transmitted from generation to generation in many different forms, such as : stories, traditions, hand painted pictures, palm leaves, manuscripts, books, objects, and folk media. These were scattered in different places, making it difficult for those who were interested to read, and conduct their research studies and projects. Requests and needs of library users including students and faculty, interested people, researchers, and government officials lead to the idea of setting up this special collection in a central library in 1970 (known as the Academic Resource Center now). The expansion of the service was then made it attractive and known to users of all categories such as students, faculty, researchers, other Thai people and the foreigners as Isan Information Center in 1991. In 1993, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously bestowed the name Sirindhorn Isan Information Center.

What is Sirindhorn Isan Information Center?

         The Sirindhorn Isan Information Center is a special department in an Academic Resource Center, Mahasarakham University. The Center collects and conserves information relating to Isan culture, traditions, education, arts, history, literature, and all other aspects of northeastern Thailand. The center provides services and access to users domestically and internationally. The Sirindhorn Isan Information Center is unique in the housing and shelving of its collection which are fascinating, functional and instill an appreciation of Isan culture.

          To sit and work in the Sirindhorn Isan Information Center is to feel being somewhere in Isan in the past and in the present. In the search or tracing of books, one is introduced to Isan baskets (khong, khu, muai, khatip khao or khong khao…), musical instruments (wot, kwaen pong lang…), hardlooms (khi tho pha) and spinning wheels (klong), fishing equipment (hae), bullock carts (kwian) and other artifacts produced in super-gigantic sizes with shelves to house the book collection. For group discussions, users can sit on a (khuang) a raised unroofed platform attached to the outside of an Isan house, and imagine where groups of people get together after a day’s work to chit-chat or where the young ones eventually find and court their life partners. To feel at home as in Isan, one can find a mat to sit on with a low table to do one’s homework or write a report. Through innovative interior furnishings and decoration, the Center provides very interestingly a semblance of Isan ambience where one not only learns but appreciates Isan culture