Designed by renowned architect Shu Chang, the Taitung County Library is inspired by the imagery of mountain mist. The flowing ridgelines of Taitung’s mountains are translated into the building’s façade, where layered sloping forms and warm wooden louvers create a light, mist-like presence. Through careful architectural integration, the new structure connects seamlessly with the original building designed by architect Wu Ming-Hsiu, preserving its open, high-ceilinged spatial quality while achieving a harmonious balance between old and new.
The new library spans 11,400 square meters, with four floors above ground and one below. Expansive glass windows bring in abundant natural light, allowing shadows and illumination to shift throughout the day. The building feels like a forest of knowledge growing from the land, at one with its surroundings.
Photo credit: Taitung County Cultural Affairs Department
Photo credit: Taitung County Cultural Affairs Department
Opening a Book in the Rift Valley
One of the library’s most distinctive spaces is the Rift Valley Reading Area. Large floor-to-ceiling windows draw in natural daylight, while terraced platforms and pebble-shaped seating create a layered landscape reminiscent of a valley. The area features popular titles in personal growth, family life, finance, and literature, making it a space that invites readers to linger.
Photo credit: Taitung County Cultural Affairs Department
From Starlit Grasslands to a Manga Base
Guided by the concept of a library for all ages, the Taitung County Government has created dedicated spaces for different groups. The family reading area combines a starry ceiling with a grassland-inspired setting, forming a dreamlike environment rarely seen in Taiwan and loved by both children and parents. The youth reading area features a manga zone with a curated selection of classic comics, offering a relaxed space for young readers to connect and unwind. Meanwhile, the senior reading area provides a wide range of newspapers, magazines, and thoughtfully selected books tailored to older readers, allowing them to enjoy reading at a slower, more comfortable pace. The ocean-themed multimedia room offers flexible seating arrangements for individuals and groups of up to seven, creating an immersive audiovisual experience.
Photo credit: Taitung County Cultural Affairs Department
Everyday Reading in a Smart Building
The library has received both Green Building and Smart Building certifications. Inside, two guide robots, each standing 157 centimeters tall with expressive eyes, are stationed on the first and second floors. They assist visitors with navigation, book searches, and recommendations. An automated book sorting system, likened to a conveyor-belt sushi track, efficiently sorts returned books onto carts, speeding up circulation. The study room provides 98 seats, equipped with an electronic seat management system and dual-access control. Visitors can reserve seats via an app, while a 24-hour self-service book pickup system ensures uninterrupted access year-round.
Weaving Knowledge and Culture Together
Debuting alongside the soft opening is the public artwork “Woven Knowledge,” created by artist Johan Cheng in collaboration with teachers and students from Xinsheng Elementary School’s art program. Using metalwork and openwork techniques, the piece incorporates Austronesian cultural motifs, hot air balloons, and sugar apples into a layered wall installation.
The artwork symbolizes the interweaving of knowledge and culture, reflecting the idea that the library is not only a place for reading, but also a cultural hub that connects local identity and collective memory. Here, the stories of Taitung’s mountains and oceans continue to be passed on through both books and art.
Photo credit: Taitung County Cultural Affairs Department
