Taichung City Government and 26 Central Taiwan Universities Jointly Shape the Greater Taichung Reading Blueprint

The 35th Taichung Municipal Development Promotion Meeting was held on March 15 at Feng Chia University, chaired by Deputy Mayor Chao‑Hsin Cheng. Through collaboration between the city government and academia, the meeting focused on the theme of “Building Taichung as a Happy Reading City”. The discussion aimed to integrate municipal policies with university research capacity to jointly construct a comprehensive reading blueprint for Greater Taichung. Representatives from 26 universities attended, along with officials from ten departments of the Taichung City Government, including Deputy Director Chun‑Fu Shih of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Deputy Director Huan‑Yi Yen of the Construction Bureau.

The meeting began with welcoming remarks by Vice President Guo‑Hao Tang of Feng Chia University. He noted that more than a decade ago, FCU transformed its traditional library into a fully digital Main Library, now serving as a “third space” beyond classrooms and dormitories. The library houses the Chinese Character Culture Center, which preserves calligraphy and artistic heritage, and provides immersive AR/VR learning experiences in collaboration with the National Palace Museum. With the addition of 5G experimental facilities, students can access knowledge in diverse forms beyond printed books. Reading at FCU is no longer confined to paper; technology enriches the reading experience and brings people closer to learning. Vice President Tang expressed confidence that joint efforts between the city government and universities will make Taichung an even better city.

He also highlighted that since 2013, FCU’s School of Architecture has upheld a commitment to build 100 “Feng Chia Little Libraries” in rural areas. Over the past decade, with strong support from alumni and industry partners, more than 20 such libraries have been established domestically and abroad. On July 7, 2023, FCU held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Aiguopu Little Library in Taitung—located 300 kilometers from the university—which became the 19th FCU Little Library and the first in eastern Taiwan. This initiative expands the reach of reading and exemplifies the university’s commitment to social responsibility.

Deputy Mayor Cheng emphasized that reading equity can help bridge the educational gap between urban and rural areas. Beyond economic development, a city must value humanistic depth, and reading is an important indicator of urban competitiveness. Taichung has been recognized by the Ministry of Education as an outstanding city in reading performance for two consecutive years, and Mayor Shiow‑Yen Lu received the Ministry’s Library Development Contribution Award. The city government will continue to build a more inclusive and enjoyable reading environment for all citizens.

He further noted that the upcoming Taichung Green Museum & Library Project will merge a museum with a library, redefining reading as more than text—an experience integrated with art. Through the integration of software and hardware, the project aims to support the city’s long‑term cultural and economic development.

Director Wen‑Hsiang Lai of the Feng Chia University Library shared several suggestions: enhancing interlibrary cooperation between the city’s public libraries and university libraries to expand the depth of collections; connecting with community colleges, senior learning centers, and lifelong learning institutions to create new reading pathways for adults and the elderly; and collaborating with publishers, local bookstores, school libraries, and private libraries to organize reading activities that bring reading into every corner of Taichung.

Deputy Mayor Cheng concluded that universities are vital in cultivating national talent and possess abundant knowledge and research capacity. University libraries, in particular, are key partners in Taichung’s transformation into a reading‑oriented cultural city. He expressed appreciation for the support and feedback from central Taiwan universities and looked forward to working together to foster a more progressive Taichung.

Deputy Mayor Chao‑Hsin Cheng and Vice President Guo‑Hao Tang of Feng Chia University