National Taiwan Library Introduction
The National Taiwan Library, hidden within the No. 4 Park, has a history that dates back to before World War II as the "Taiwan Governor-General's Library," with over a century of history! The library was established in 1915 as Taiwan's first modern library and was the largest and most comprehensive library during the Japanese colonial period, responsible for guiding the development of libraries throughout Taiwan. Its collection can be traced back to the "Taiwan Library" established by the Japanese at the Tamsui Pavilion (the site of the Dengying Academy during the Qing Dynasty). By the time of the war, the library had amassed approximately 200,000 volumes in Chinese, Japanese, and Western languages. The Taiwan Governor-General's Library was located in Shuyuan Town, Taipei City, in the original lottery office building on the northwest side of the Governor-General's Office; during World War II, the building was damaged by bombing from American forces. Fortunately, the then-librarian, Shan Zhongqiao, ensured proper evacuation, allowing most of the collection to survive the ravages of war. Due to the vast area of the library, the administration planned age- and audience-specific services for the public to easily find books. Additionally, for the library's long-standing collection materials, a "Book Hospital" was established to carry out restoration work on both Eastern and Western books, with regular public visits available to observe the "healing" process of the books. Furthermore, the "Quiet Thinking Corridor" outside the library, featuring classical-style arches, has become a must-photograph spot for many visitors!
