Public libraries in Changhua County had an average of just 1.98 books per person last year, the lowest of all 22 counties, public data showed.
With 1 million residents, the county has the largest population in Taiwan outside of the six special municipalities, but also has the lowest average salary in the nation.
Falling below an average of two books per person is “outrageous,” especially given the scope of Changhua’s population and public finances, said Shih Yu-hsuan (施喻琁) from the Democratic Progressive Party’s Changhua branch.
Photo: Taipei Times
The Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau said it hopes to secure an additional NT$10 million (US$337,872) budget next year to buy books, aiming to bring the average up to at least two books per person — the recommended standard from the Ministry of Education.
The other 21 municipalities all surpassed an average of two books per person, with Lienchiang County taking top place at 7.99, followed by Pingtung County at 6.71 and Penghu County at 5.43, according to a table released by the Changhua County Audit Office.
Taipei sits at 3.81 books per person and New Taipei City at 2.49, it showed.
As a former teacher, Shih said he is not only an avid reader himself, but also borrows books from public libraries for his two children.
The Changhua County Government should continue to invest in public libraries to provide wider and more diverse collections, he added.
The Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau said it has invested NT$40.2 million in libraries from 2019 to this year, purchasing 237,631 books and bringing the total number to 519,169 by the end of last month.
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