• 2016-02-16

In the morning of the 16th of February, the opening ceremony of the 24th Taipei International Book Exhibition at the World Trade Center, in front of the NCL Golden Book Booth No. B422, three library directors: Shu-Hsien Tseng (National Central Library), Dr. László Tüske (National Széchényi Library of Hungary), Yu-Huei Yang (National Taiwan Library) and other distinguished guests, launched the campaign on "Dreaming Future Libraries". All were invited and encouraged to use their imagination and creativity to present the face of future libraries.

After the opening ribbon-cutting ceremony, all the three library directors wrote down their respective dreams of future libraries and with the warm applause of the audience shared their dreams.

First it was Dr. László Tüske from the National Széchényi Library, who shared his dream of future libraries. He said: "The library is the memory institution of a nation and humanity. The library is "open to all users. The library helps "lifelong learning." The library needs the automation of the library system. The library needs new training program of librarians. The library needs appropriate regulations. The library is in need of a supply system".

The next Director who shared was Director Yu-Huei Yang from the National Taiwan Library. Her dream of future libraries is: "More available new books; more user-friendly and automated services. Wish the library can become a reader's secretary and the Doraemon of everyone".

The third one is Director Shu Hsien Tseng from the National Central Library. She said: "

Libraries will eventually return to the age of being a "Book Collection House": preserving printed publications of the past and present. Thousands of years later, there will be no carrier to deliver the knowledge of human beings; printed publications will merely become exhibits in the museums. All the information will be preserved in the invisible Cloud.

Libraries will eventually return to the age of "Collection House", preserving printed publications of the past and present. Thousands of years later, there will be no carrier to deliver human beings' knowledge, and printed publications will merely become exhibits in the museums. All the information will be preserved in the invisible Cloud.

Human beings can install required information into chips inside the brains via special devices (e.g. antennas on the heads) and can access it whenever and wherever they like. How about librarians? Gone! They'll be transformed into virtual robots in the Cloud"!

Present among the audience was a 3rd grader from Houpu Elementary School. He also shared his thoughts and imagination on future libraries saying:

"Libraries become a very powerful robot!!

Books inside the shelves can be scanned and projected like a movie.

I can also change a story book that I write to become a talking book and lend it to others.

In class, a blackboard robot can ask the library to input the outside reading materials given by the teachers to the students’ computer so that one can not forget to bring homework home.”

 NCL Director General Tseng encouraged all who visit the Taipei International Book Fair to come to the NCL booth and get a "Future Libraries Dream Card" to write down their dreams for future libraries. She hopes that each one makes use of their rich, creative imagination to build dreams and together construct the future face of Taiwan libraries.

The NCL invited the National Taiwan Library to launch together the "Dreaming Future Libraries Activities". Cultural and creative products were prepared as gifts to the lucky winner who will come to the NCL booth, write down their imagination of future libraries and have chances to win in 85 lucky draws at the end of the Exhibition on the 21st of February at 18:30.

Director General László Tüske from National Széchényi Library of Hungary and other guests visiting the exhibition area before the opening ceremony

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Taipei International Book Exhibition of the NCL booth; (from left to right) Dr. László Tüske, Director General Tseng, Director General Yang.

Three Library Directors and a 3rd Grader writing their respective dreams of future libraries

Three Library Directors and a 3rd Grader sharing their respective dreams of future libraries

Three Library Directors and a 3rd Grader putting their “Dream Card”

Group photo: Three Library Directors, a 3rd Grader and NCL staff.