On World Book Day, we are reminded that reading is no longer just about turning pages; it is a process that accumulates over time, shaping a city’s depth of knowledge and cultural warmth. As the Taichung Public Library marks its 10th anniversary, it reflects on a decade of progress—from institutional integration and spatial upgrades to service innovation—gradually building a reading environment that is close to everyday life and accessible across generations. Reading has become a steady and enduring force in citizens’ daily lives.

According to Chia-Chun Chen(文化局陳佳君局長), Director of the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau, following Taichung’s elevation to a special municipality, the city established the Taichung Public Library system in 2016, integrating public library resources across the city. With a people-centered approach(「以人為本」), the city has promoted reading services that are friendly, convenient, and intelligent. Libraries are no longer merely places to borrow books; they have evolved into public spaces that integrate learning, interaction, and relaxation, accompanying citizens through every stage of life.

In terms of spatial development, the library system has pursued both the construction of new facilities and the revitalization of older spaces, creating a more comfortable and diverse reading environment. Whether as neighborhood hubs embedded in communities or as landmark cultural venues such as Taichung Green Museumbrary, libraries are transforming into the city’s “living rooms of knowledge”(「知識客廳」), where people can linger, connect, and explore—naturally integrating reading into the rhythm of daily life.

On the service front, the library continues to enhance user experience by extending opening hours and promoting mobile borrowing services, making reading more accessible. At the same time, it has actively expanded digital resources, including e-books, audiobooks, and online learning platforms, ensuring that reading is no longer limited by time or space. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of remote services and book delivery programs(「書香便利送」) demonstrated the resilience of public services, allowing reading to continue under any circumstances.

As technology advances, libraries are also becoming smarter. Through self-service borrowing and return systems, mobile borrowing, and data-driven applications, efficiency and service precision have improved significantly. The introduction of AI-powered recommendations and personalized reading services further tailors book selections to different user groups, aligning with individual interests and learning rhythms while creating a more human-centered and customized reading experience.

Reading promotion has also expanded beyond library walls into every corner of the city. Through events such as World Book Day, reading festivals, and thematic programs, the library integrates reading into family interactions, school education, and community life. People of all ages can discover their own ways of engaging with books, making libraries not only gateways to knowledge but also important spaces for human connection and cultural engagement.

In recent years, through public-private partnerships and cross-sector collaboration, Taichung has continued to expand the impact of reading. From mobile library vehicles to the introduction of reading resources in schools, the city is steadily advancing reading equity. With the opening of Taichung Green Museumbrary, which integrates a library and an art museum, and combines digital technology with immersive experiences, reading now extends beyond printed pages into a multi-sensory world of art—opening up new possibilities for urban reading culture.

Library Director Hui-Chun Tseng(曾惠君館長) emphasized that reading literacy is a city’s competitiveness. Looking ahead to the next decade, the library will adopt the “PULSE” strategy: People-centered, Ubiquitous smart services, Linkages across domains, Symbiosis with aesthetics, and Cultural equity. This approach aims to fully respond to citizens’ needs and build a boundaryless smart reading ecosystem, transforming libraries from static book repositories into dynamic knowledge platforms connected to the pulse of the city.

The Taichung Public Library added that, in celebration of World Book Day, a series of events will be held on April 25–26 at Taichung Green Museumbrary. Bestselling author Zhe-Ching Hsieh(作家謝哲青) will present “Between Me and the World—Reading, Travel, and Writing「我與世界之間－閱讀、旅行與書寫」,” while Feibi Shen will collaborate with speakers from various fields for “The New ‘Three Ups’—This Time, You Define Reading,” encouraging audiences to actively share their reading experiences. In addition, the library’s storytelling theater troupe will perform “Stories Hidden in the Soil「藏在土裡的故事」". The public is warmly invited to participate.