Premier Lin Chuan visited Tainan City today to inspect the site for a southern branch of the National Central Library that will bring a more equitable share of reading resources to southern Taiwan. Once completed, the branch will employ the latest technology for digital archiving and digitization services while offering top-notch equipment and a comfortable reading environment to attract more readers.
A national passion for reading is one mark of an advanced society where culture is accumulated, wisdom formed, and knowledge passed on, the premier said. He encouraged all citizens to develop good reading habits.
Part of the new facility will operate as a business so that it can sustain itself financially, Premier Lin said. The architectural and landscape designs will be inspired by the local environment and people, allowing nearby residents to appreciate the library's beauty while enjoying its excellent services.
The government is planning to expand public spending to spur economic growth, the premier said. Expressing hope that the southern branch library will be completed in four years or less, he pledged the government's full support for efforts to complete the new branch ahead of schedule if at all possible. Aside from accelerating the construction schedule, engineers must also pay attention to quality, and build a library that Taiwan can be proud of.
The new facility will sit on a 57,000-square meter plot of land in the Xinying District, convenient to the Sun Yat-sen Freeway and the Xinying railway station. With an expected floor space of 42,000 square meters, it will also serve as a reserve base for the National Central Library as well as the first national joint archives center.