Bathed in the afternoon sun at the Cultural Forest of Taichung Green Museumbrary, a sensory experience blending reading, music, and coffee brought fresh vitality to the city’s reading landscape. On March 29, the Taichung Public Library hosted the event “Because of the Index: Coffee Party,” featuring a live performance by cross-disciplinary creator and Golden Indie Music Awards winner FTK. The event drew a large crowd, with participants gathering to read freely to the rhythm of music—demonstrating the diverse possibilities of libraries as cultural spaces and generating strong interest in the “Index of the World” exhibition.

According to the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, the venue was transformed into an open-air reading lounge, featuring three uniquely designed “reading islands” and colorful, comfortable beanbag seating. Paired with specialty coffee crafted by well-known Taichung brands and a curated book selection, the setting created a relaxed and inviting reading atmosphere. As FTK’s specially composed music filled the space, readers sat or reclined, gently swaying to the rhythm while enjoying books amid the open, airy environment—immersed in the greenery of Central Park Taichung and the warmth of spring sunlight. The result was a dynamic reading scene where stillness and movement coexisted.

The Taichung Public Library noted that “Index of the World” is a major thematic exhibition following the opening of the Green Museumbrary, centered on encyclopedias and exploring how knowledge has been compiled across different eras. It invites visitors to rethink the relationship between reading and knowledge. The “Because of the Index: Coffee Party” served as one of its extension programs, aiming to break away from traditional reading frameworks by transforming reading from a solitary activity into a shared and experiential cultural event.

Building on music selections curated by Professor Wan-Jen Chang, FTK integrated sound and spatial design to create a unique musical language for the exhibition. In this setting, reading becomes more than turning pages—it evolves into an immersive, multi-sensory experience engaging all five senses.

Visitors shared that their previous impressions of libraries were largely associated with quiet reading. Being able to read in a relaxed environment accompanied by music—and even move along with the rhythm—felt both refreshing and enjoyable. Within the open space of the Cultural Forest, reading became less constrained and more connected to everyday life, revealing a renewed cultural appeal of the modern library.

The Taichung Public Library added that the “Index of the World” series will continue with upcoming programs. The next lecture, “Encyclopedias, Wikipedia, and AI,” will take place on April 11 at the Digital Light Gallery of the Green Museumbrary, featuring Tse-Wen Wang, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Wikimedia Association. The talk will explore the evolution of knowledge compilation—from traditional encyclopedias to collaborative digital platforms and into the age of artificial intelligence—offering deeper insights into how knowledge is created and transformed.

In addition, the “Index of the World” exhibition will run through May 31. Highlights include rare 18th-century encyclopedia editions from Chengding Hall, along with valuable collections from institutions such as National Taiwan University, National Science and Technology Museum, and Chimei Museum. Through carefully selected entries and thematic connections, the exhibition guides visitors to explore the diverse dimensions of knowledge. The Taichung Public Library invites the public to seize the opportunity to visit the Green Museumbrary and embark on a cross-temporal journey of knowledge through reading and observation.

For more information, please visit the official website of Taichung Public Library (https://www.library.taichung.gov.tw/ )。