A decade of dedication has allowed reading to take root and flourish like a forest. This year, the Taichung Public Library celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking not only a milestone but also a new beginning following the opening of the new central library at Taichung Green Museumbrary. The occasion symbolizes both the growth of the city’s reading hubs and an upgrade in Taichung’s cultural and reading energy. Starting in March, the library will launch a series of anniversary events under the theme “Forest of Reading”  「閱讀之森」, inviting citizens to step into the next, even more expansive decade of reading amid the fragrance of books in spring.

The Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that the city government has long promoted cultural development and encouraged reading among all residents. Through the ongoing “New Books Every Month”  「月月有新書」initiative, the city continues to provide a steady stream of reading resources for the public. From branch libraries deeply embedded in local communities to the central library expanding the city’s cultural horizon, and from traditional print collections to convenient digital reading services, Greater Taichung’s reading network (大台中閱讀網絡) has become increasingly comprehensive. Over the past decade, this development represents not only the expansion of library facilities but also a major milestone in advancing urban cultural growth with reading at its core.

To commemorate the milestone, the bureau specially invited award-winning illustrator Chun‑Sheng Chou 插畫家鄒駿昇—recipient of the top prize at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition (義大利波隆那國際插畫首獎得主)—to design the 10th anniversary key visual and commemorative logo. His design brings international perspective and artistic warmth to Taichung’s reading landscape.

The main visual concept, “Forest of Reading” depicts overlapping layers of tree canopies, symbolizing the interconnected growth and expansion of knowledge. In the illustration, people sit quietly reading beneath warm sunlight, with gentle flowing lines suggesting the slowing of time. English phrases interwoven throughout the imagery create multiple narrative layers, making the visual composition feel like a contemplative forest—one that invites viewers to wander, reflect, and explore.

The commemorative logo draws inspiration from traditional library stamps and uses a handwritten-style typeface that evokes the tactile warmth and humanistic spirit of printed books. Through this design, the library reminds us that even in the digital age, libraries continue to safeguard the depth and essence of humanistic culture. The design also allows for diverse applications, and a limited collection of 10th-anniversary cultural merchandise will be released, bringing the imagery of reading into everyday life as collectible keepsakes and shared memories of the city.

The anniversary celebration will also feature an exciting lineup of programs. In March, author Yi‑Hui Sung (作家宋怡慧) will open the series with a talk titled “Life Lessons Schools Don’t Teach — Reading, Young and Well”「學校不會教的人生課—閱讀好好『young』」 guiding readers to find direction at key turning points in life. From April to June, renowned writers including Zhe‑Ching Hsieh(作家謝哲青), a winner of the Golden Bell Awards, and a renowned author Chin‑Chieh Wu (“InsectaRacy” 「昆蟲擾西」作者 吳沁婕) will join through lectures, exhibitions, and theatrical performances. These events will extend reading beyond the written word into creative expression and sensory experiences, creating a cultural space for inspiration and shared connections.

The Taichung Public Library emphasized that 2026 (ROC Year 115) marks both the inaugural year of the new central library and the institution’s 10th anniversary—an important convergence point. This year’s initiatives are not merely celebratory; they signal the beginning of a new phase in the transformation of urban reading culture. Moving forward, the library aims to position itself as a “City Reading Hub 「城市閱讀基地」” a place where residents can pause, reconnect with knowledge, and set out again with renewed inspiration.

In addition, the library will launch the “Reading Exploration Initiative — 10 Moments Closest to Reading 「閱讀探索行動─10個最接近閱讀的時刻」” establishing a year-round rhythm of reading activities and proactively reaching out to people who have not yet stepped into a library, thereby narrowing the distance between reading and everyday life.

For more information about upcoming events, please visit the official website of the Taichung Public Library:
https://www.library.taichung.gov.tw/home
.