The first "staff-less" library located at a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station opened yesterday evening, offering about 15,000 books targeted at teenagers and MRT commuters.
The "Ximen Open Book Smart Library" at the Ximen MRT station is the nation's second staff-less library; the Taipei Public Library had set up a pilot library in Neihu's Carrefour store in July last year.
The staff-less computer-operated library employs a radio frequency identification (RFID) system and a self check-in and check-outsystem, allowing residents to enter the library by inserting a RFID library card, scan the book and take a receipt from the computer, and return the book by dropping it off in a library return box.
Taipei Public Library chief Tseng Shu-hsian (曾淑賢) said the first staff-less library had attracted 9,000 library card applications and over 100,000 residents since it started operating. The success of the first staff-less library prompted the library to open a second one.
"We chose an MRT station as it's a commercial area and convenient [for readers]," she said.
Tseng said that the Ximen area was a popular destination for teenagers. Setting up a library in the Ximen MRT station could help promote reading among teenagers, a generation that reads the least.
"We included books for this generation, including magazines, comics, Internet literature and sports and travel books," she said.
Books that cater to a wider audience, such as literature, investment, religion and management, can also be found in the library.
Although the library has no staff members, Tseng said the RFID system provided faster and more convenient service. The technology also has an enhanced security system and has reduced theft, as users' information is kept in the system.
The library is open from 6am to 12pm. Interested readers can apply for a library card between 2pm and 7pm until July 13. Application forms and processing are also available at the Taipei Public Library's main library.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man