Source: United Daily News

Major metropolises throughout Taiwan are seeing the emergence of a new generation of public libraries for the digital age, reshaping the urban skyline and cultural landscape at the same time.

These state-of-the-art buildings redefine the reading experience for local bibliophiles. No longer just page-turning affairs, the mind-enriching process has gone 3-D, imparting knowledge and stimulating the senses through books and architecture.

National Library of Public Information, completed 2012 in central Taiwan’s Taichung City, is seen as a trendsetter. Designed by renowned local architect Joshua Jih Pan, the appearance of the five-story facility conjures up a race car, spaceship or whale depending on the viewer’s point of view.

“Public libraries in the digital era must put more emphasis on spatial design in order to better entice visitors who might normally stay home,” Pan said. “These facilities need to be more than book depositories; they should take the lead in the promotion of emerging electronic platforms.”

In southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung City’s main library made a splash when it opened its doors at the end of last year. Hailed as the world’s first suspended green building, the harborside facility offers an unconfined environment of spatial integration by erasing the line between interior and exterior.

With its eye-catching design, the library is now considered a popular tourist attraction in the port city. But more importantly, it has succeeded in boosting resident affinity with books through its architecture and assorted cultural events, recording a daily attendance of 30,000 during the first month.

Also riding this wave of modernity is New Taipei City Library’s main building. Located in Banqiao District, it offers lovers of literature in northern Taiwan unparalleled access to Taiwan’s largest collection of 650,000 books, as well as an array of facilities and services.

Commencing operations May 10, the book shelf-like NTCL is pioneering 24/7 services on its first and fourth floors in an effort to diversify the city’s after-dark cultural activities.

“Libraries are the icons of a city and essential parts of urban life,” New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu said. “This cutting-edge amenity is set to become a source of great pride and cultural inspiration for the metropolis.”

As more cities and counties around Taiwan take a fresh look at libraries and the role they play in the community, it is safe to say that these buildings will help fill the ranks of lifelong readers. Reading now looks in with a fighting chance to regain its prominence nationwide. (YHC-JSM)