Luking Library, Taiwan

Book display area and e-book reading

Name of the Library: Luking Library
Parent Organisation: Providence University

Street Address:  Postal Address: 43301
Telephone : 886-4-26328001 ext. 11631(incl Country code)
Web Address: http://www.lib.pu.edu.tw/
Library Email: lukingmesg@lib.pu.edu.tw
Type of Library : Central/ Main
Population served: Providence University Community
Project Type: Conversion  Refurbishment
Size (square metres): 21,931
Date of Completion: 1988, Extension: 2005, Conversion / Refurbishment: 2015
Architect:
Chen-Chen Tang (1987, 2005, Original and Extension Architect)
Meng-Chin Liu (2015, Conversion / Refurbishment

Reading and relaxing spaces. Discussion rooms

Description

History
In 1953, the Providence library was established on Fuhsing Road in Taichung, Taiwan. In 1964, it was officially named the Luking Library in honor of Mother Marie Gratia Luking, the founder of the college. In 1988, when the university relocated to its present site in Shalu, the library holdings were moved to a brand new building. In 2005 a major extension to the library was completed, and since then the library has undergone a major renovation of space which saw completion in 2015. Luking Library is now listed as one of The 10 Libraries You Must Visit in Taiwan.

Our Collection
The library holdings that amount to approximately 1,500,000 items include books, journals, newspapers, audio-visual materials and on-line resources. Books in English Literature, American Literature, and Children’s Literature are featured.

Space Design
The space in the Luking Library is based on a user-demand principle. The goal of this design is for library users to enjoy multiple ways of reading and self-study that will stimulate great ideas.

When you enter the library, the first place you notice is the Book Display Area. Here the library commonly places books grouped under special themes, including the nine subjects of the library archives, new arrivals, festivals, and current issues. Benches, couches, chairs are set under natural lighting so that users can comfortably spend their time in this area. Besides the traditional book exhibition, different brands of electronic tablets are available next to the Book Display Area for users to enjoy the fun of e-book reading and to experience the difference between reading on paper and reading on screens.

If one wants to find a good place to read throughout the library, there are many choices. From the First to the Fourth Floor, there are separate corners presenting the concepts of time, maze, writer’s corner and nostalgia. On the Third Floor, there is a nice, cozy open space for reading and relaxing, featuring bean bag chairs and several shelves with comics. The library is meant to be a friendly place for optimum use.
A learning commons is provided on the Second Floor and discussion rooms are located on the Third Floor. Both contain chairs, tables, and electronic equipment for patrons’ use. The offering of group study space in the library is one of many methods used to inspire and advance research, teaching, and life-long intellectual growth.

Finally, there is a comfortable new space on the Third Floor called the Reading Salon. With a high-ceiling design, it’s not only good for reading, but for holding events such as speeches by authors, movie appreciation, classical music performances, summer reading camps and Asian tea ceremonies to experience the art of living.

Reading salon

High-Quality Innovative Services
Our librarians also plan special events for library users. Through these activities, we hope that all users will learn to take advantage of all that the Luking Library has to offer.

At the beginning of each new semester, the library holds a “Teacher Appreciation Tea Ceremony” to emphasize the etiquette within the art of living. For regular activities such as “Read, and Think Differently” (Book思異), various artists, scholars and performers are invited to share their experiences with the audience. During summer vacation, a summer camp is offered to elementary school students from the countryside. The children spend three days and two nights in the library engaging in activities that focus on building their reading and writing skills.

The library also holds training sessions and workshops for its regular users and helps them to set the foundations for lifelong-learning. With a positive attitude toward all library users, we provide accurate and professional, immediate replies to all requests.
For more information about the library events please go to Luking Library FB fan page.
Awards, case studies, further information

• 2015 The 10 Libraries You Must Visit in Taiwan
• 2011 Cooperate with Hyweb Technology Co., Ltd. developing Library Automation system.
• 2010, 2013, 2014 Excellence in Interlibrary Loan Service of Interlibrary Cooperation Association
• 1991 Green Building Award

 

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National Taitung University Library and Information Centre, Taiwan

Name of the Library:  National Taitung University Library and Information Centre
Parent Organisation: National Taitung University

Street Address: Jhihben Campus: 369, Sec. 2, University Rd., Taitung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Postal Address: 95092
Telephone : +886-89-518135
Web Address: http://www.lic.nttu.edu.tw/
Library Email : ref@nttu.edu.tw

Type of Library : Central/ Main
Population served: 5,000
Project Type:New Building
Size (square metres): 13,000
Date of Completion: 08/12/2014
Architect: CHEN, LIAN-CHUAN

Description

National Taitung University Library and Information Center
National Taitung University located in Taiwan East Coast between the mountains and the sea. The campus green belt is connecting the imagination of these two physical elements. The library adjacent to an ecological detention pond is located at the green axis endpoint toward the Pacific Ocean. As a major landmark building of the campus, library attempted to respond to mountain and water context in a landform architecture, to explore multiple imagination of campus life while creating unique campus environment in Taitung, and to make college life a profound memory.

Massing concept tries to respond to two major concerns for site configuration and massing articulation; First, to link living route between the main living quarter, the school area and the lake area; Second, to respond to visual conditions of the surrounding. Massing volume is created in an abstract mountain shape on north part to form the most important scene facing the Pacific Ocean. Along the lakeside is a set of curved low volume of library. The intercrossed location of two sets of volume forms the library’s main entrance. Mountain shape library becomes the visual landmark of the campus and blends into the mountain background of campus.

Inside the building, the visitors being under effect of the scenic views outside and the cave like space inside which brings the atmosphere into a spiritual place. Outside the building, visitors can climb up the building to the top and overlook the surrounding to get the sense of context impact.

The Landmark in NTTU
The Library and Information Center provides support to students and faculty members in learning, research, and teaching. Centrally located on the campus, the library is surrounded by the Administrative Services Building, College of Humanities, Teachers College, College of Science and Engineering, Jing-Sin Instruction, and Student Dormitories. It is also surrounded by the protection forestland and the Jing-Sin Lake. On the rooftop of the building, there is the view of magnificent Pacific Ocean and Taiwan Railway South Link Line. It is not only the campus landmark, but also the spotlight of Taitung.

Creating “Mobile Learning” Environment
Designing to meet readers’ needs and emphasizing on mobile learning, Expect books and journals area, the library provides a spacious environment and high-tech equipment for readers to explore. The NTTU library and Information Center provides readers with comfortable study environments and state-of-the-art facilities, hoping readers can find the most suitable study space.

1F On the first floor there are Learning Commons, Discussion Room, Language Learning Area, Multimedia Area, New Arrivals, Multifunction Showroom, Lecture Hall, and Computer Laboratory. This is the most popular area in library.
2F The study rooms that are divided into the Silent Reading Area and the E-Reading Area, as well as the Library Café that serves coffee and light meal.
3F Speaker’s Corner is a great place to hold a book launch party or give a small lecture.  There are abundant and valuable materials on children’s literature on this floor.
4F There are Study Carrels. Nine individual study rooms, named after the seven groups of Taiwanese aborigines in Taitung and the university tree, are available for the NTTU students and faculty to use with no disturbance.
5F Gallery of University History showcases the history of NTTU and its development. It is also the best starting point to know more about NTTU.

Further information

Awards, case studies, further information

2014 Shopping Design Award (Taiwan Design BEST 100)  Best Architectural Design and Spatial Planning 2014
2015 The 10 Libraries You Must Visit in Taiwan