Program Seeks to Build a Better Future for Public Libraries

In an ambitious drive to improve the quality of public libraries in Taiwan, the government has earmarked nearly NT$1.55 billion for the 'Public Library Improvement Plan.' This project will be carried out jointly by the Council for Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Education (MOE) through April 2004 as part of the Executive Yuan's 'Infrastructure Expansion Plan'. While every county, city and town in Taiwan has a public library, many of these facilities are lacking in the services needed to attract readers. The Executive Yuan plan seeks to address these shortcomings through a five-part program aimed at improving the facilities and operation of public libraries, introducing automated and online services, establishing Internet resource centers (public-access databases), establishing online book acquisition systems, and augmenting the collections at public libraries.