Tainan Builds a Book-Fragrant City as Guantian Library Opens

(Taiwan Business News) Celebrating the completion of the renovation of the Guantian Library, an unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on the morning of the 15th, with Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te and guests from all walks of life gathering at the site to witness this historic moment together with local residents. In his speech, Mayor Lai said that building a "book-fragrant city" is one of Tainan's visions, and that the city government will continue to actively promote the Eslite-style transformation of school libraries and the upgrading of facilities at libraries in all 37 districts, and he also called on residents to read together and cultivate a sound reading culture.

Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te said that, to fulfill the goal of a "book-fragrant city," the city government is actively investing in improving the public facilities of libraries in all districts of Tainan.

Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te further encouraged the residents attending the event with the saying, "Rice paddies produce rice, and Guantian produces officials." The mayor said that a bountiful rice harvest depends on farmers providing good rice varieties, proper management and excellent farming techniques; while cultivating outstanding talent for society depends first and foremost on "reading." Good library facilities can not only provide residents with a fine place for leisure, but also drive the reading atmosphere, further cultivate good reading habits and enjoyment of reading, and thereby nurture more social elites who can contribute to the country.

The Guantian District Office said that the Guantian Library was built in the 78th year of the Republic of China (1989). The building was old, and after this improvement of both software and hardware, the library space is not only brighter and more spacious than before, but the interior also incorporates Guantian's local industry and culture, with a pheasant-tailed jacana LOGO designed to symbolize the library joining hands with residents to fly toward the hall of knowledge. In addition, Guantian District Chief Chen Cheng-wen said that, in order to solve the inconvenience for residents in remote areas in borrowing books, the library will cooperate with Chen Yen-hai, head of Daci Village in Guantian, to send some books to the Daci Children's Reading Room at the beginning of each month for residents in remote rural areas to borrow and read.