ROCLA unveils top 10 must-visit library list

2015/10/06

Taiwan’s 10 must-visit libraries were named Oct. 1 by the ROC Library Association in Taipei City, spotlighting the distinct and diversified literature landscape of the nation.

Selected via online voting from June 10 to Sept. 30, the 10 winners finished atop a 68-strong field comprising senior high, university, national and public facilities. The list is seen as a way of giving greater exposure to deserving libraries possessing distinctive characteristics and qualities.

ROCLA President Hsueh Li-kuei said an increasing number of recently opened facilities are garnering headlines for contemporary architectural style, creative spatial designs and voluminous book collections. “We want to arouse people’s interests in these libraries and reinforce good reading habits.”

Echoing Hsueh’s remarks, ROCLA Secretary-General Lin Chiao-min said five of the facilities are located in southern Taiwan, which indicates a nationwide passion for books and a robust literary scene.

Top spot on the list with 526,870 votes went to Kaohsiung Main Public Library on the strength of its status as the world’s first suspended green building, open floor plan and spectacular views of the port in Gushan District. Commencing full operations Jan. 1, it boasts a theater and NT$500 million (US$15.2 million) collection of books and software.

Second place with 430,531 ballots was earned by a cuisine-themed library run by Taipei City-based Foundation of Chinese Dietary Culture. Boasting 20,000 ancient books, journals, menus, pamphlets, theses and videos, as well as exhibits of antique tableware and delicacy paintings, the 1989-launched facility is testament to the richness of Chinese food culture.

Third position with 252,568 votes was picked up by New Taipei City’s main library. Opened May 10, the book shelf-like facility offers unparalleled access to Taiwan’s largest collection of 650,000 titles, with its first and fourth floors open 24/7.

The rest of the top 10 comprises Min Hsiung branch of Chiayi County Public Library, National Central Library in Taipei, Dadong Arts Library and Siaogang branch in Kaohsiung City, Providence University Luking Library in Taichung City, Kaohsiung Literature Library and National Taitung University Library and Information Center.

All of the facilities are in the running for inclusion in a guide of 1,001 must-visit libraries compiled by Netherlands-headquartered International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=237416&ctNode=2194&mp=9)