Taipei Public Library (TPL) introduced its first 24-hour automated book stop at its main library, which allows book lovers to borrow books via an automated management system.
The Fast Book-Automatic Book Stop, located at the entrance of the main library on No. 125 Jianguo S Rd Sec 2, contains more than 400 books that can be borrowed free of charge 24 hours a day.
A fully automated management system allows users to borrow and return books, as well as search for books by inserting the library cards into a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) machine and then placing the books on a pad for automatic identification, before printing out a receipt.
TPL director Hung Shih-chang (洪世昌) said the book stop was the first 24-hour automated book borrowing system to offer convenient service to night owls.
The TPL will soon establish another book stop at Taipei Railway Station, he said.
“The books offered at the book stop are mostly new and popular books and we will seek to expand the service to other branches for the convenience of residents,” he said.
The city opened two other -automated libraries at Carrefour’s Neihu (內湖) store in 2005 and MRT Ximen Station in 2006. Those libraries are open until midnight.
Although the automated libraries have no staff, Hung said the RFID system provides faster and more convenient services and the technology is also equipped with an enhanced security system that helps prevent theft, as user information is kept in the system.
The TPL encouraged book lovers to take advantage of the service, while application forms are available at the main library and all TPL branches for those who do not have a library card.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
A former officer in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who witnessed the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has warned that Taiwan could face a similar fate if China attempts to unify the country by force. Li Xiaoming (李曉明), who was deployed to Beijing as a junior officer during the crackdown, said Taiwanese people should study the massacre carefully, because it offers a glimpse of what Beijing is willing to do to suppress dissent. “What happened in Tiananmen Square could happen in Taiwan too,” Li told CNA in a May 22 interview, ahead of the massacre’s 36th anniversary. “If Taiwanese students or
RSS