The New Taipei City Public Library, located in the city’s Banqiao District, will soon turn a new leaf and ditch its traditional hours of 9 am to 5 pm for 24 hour operations.

The city’s cultural affairs bureau says starting next year, various sections of the library will open at different times throughout the day, ensuring that the library remains open for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Speaking at a city council meeting today, New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu says libraries opening hours should meet the evolving needs of contemporary readers in the age of eBooks and online publishing, instead of the hours of its workers.

Chu says libraries remain very important in this age and in particular to the city, adding that the renovations for the library have made it very special.

Chu cited the example of bookstores in the Eslite chain, saying that libraries should aim to create the same kind of atmosphere that Eslite has, which he says is peaceful and natural, like a comfortable book room.

According to Chu, staffing should not be a problem, as his government will look into hiring volunteers and more staff.

 

Image via New Taipei City Library website