• 2024-10-07

In a significant move to promote Taiwan and foster cultural exchange, the National Central Library donated a Taiwan Corner to the State Library of Queensland, Australia. This marks the first time NCL has established a Taiwan Corner in Australia.

The donation ceremony took place on the morning of October 4, 2024, at the State Library of Queensland. William Hou-lu Fan, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane, represented the donor, while Linda Barron, Director of Information Services, accepted the donation on behalf of the library's Director, Vicki McDonald.

National Central Library Director-General Han-ching Wang stated the State Library of Queensland boasts a rich history, dating back over 120 years. As one of only two libraries in Australia to have an Indigenous Knowledge Centre, the library is actively dedicated to recording, preserving, and maintaining the cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, reflecting the diversity and vitality of the Queensland region. The donated Taiwan Corner features a carefully curated selection of 80 publications covering a wide range of topics, including Taiwanese history, customs, museums, natural environment, and contemporary Taiwanese literature and art.

In recent years, NCL has proactively fostering international collaborations through three proposals: the establishment of Taiwan Research Centers for Chinese Studies (TRCCS), Taiwan Academic Digital Resource Center (TADRC), and Taiwan Corners. TRCCS and TADRC provide Taiwanese academic research resources to international institutions such as Harvard University, while Taiwan Corners collaborate with national and public libraries worldwide to showcase high-quality Taiwanese publications, children's picture books, and Chinese language learning materials for the general public. The dedicated space for the Taiwan Corner at the State Library of Queensland not only symbolizes the friendly relations between Taiwan and Australia but also connects people through the power of reading, fostering a deeper understanding of Taiwan and its culture among readers.