New Taipei City Main Library: The First 24-Hours Public Library in Taiwan with self-service technology
New Taipei City Main Library opened in May 2015 in Taiwan. New Taipei City, located in the northern part of Taiwan, is one of the highest population density municipalities in Taiwan and home to 4 million residents. The public library system is one of the most favored institutions in this city, boasting 20 million visitors a year. The library encompasses 104 branches and bookmobiles, offering a total collection of 7,500,000 books and thousands of CDs / DVDs and magazines.
A 24-hour public space for reading and knowledge exchange
At the beginning of May, the New Taipei City Main Library reopened in a new 9-story building at Banqiao. Achieved the original intention “building a modern library suitable for all ages,” a bright, modern, environmentally friendly concept was created and integrated with four pivotal values, Technology, Humanities, Knowledge, and Digital. According to their brochure, “it is a Diamond-level green building, introduces universal design-friendly space.” The new plan includes an Auditorium, an exhibition area, reading rooms, discussion rooms, audiovisual area, and a 24-hour study room, which regularly conducts reading sessions, film screenings, and educational courses for users of all ages. Today, the Main Library is an indispensable cultural meeting place to the whole community, and it welcomes generally 5,000 users a day.
Using UHF RFID technology to provide superior service and free staff time for educational programs in Taiwan’s leading library
The library began using IDSmart UHF RFID self-service station in 2012 in the former 3-story main library. After moving in a 9-story new build library without hiring more staff, New Taipei City Library knew it was crucial to find the most effective way to sort, reshelve, and circulate materials. From the beginning, the library decided to implement UHF RFID technology, self-checkout, and automated return and sorting technology to reduce librarians’ workload. Impressed with MiTAC –Claridy’s total solution, professional project management team, as well as satisfying maintenance service experience, the library installed a full suite of Intelligent Library Solution: Security Gate, Self-Service Station, 24H Thru-wall Book Drop, and Auto Sorter System with 11 bins, iReserve Seats Reservation System with Station, Bookshower and a customized 24H Self-Checkout Station. The Asia’s first 24H Self-Checkout Station (Book Tower) and UHF RFID technology empowered New Taipei City Main Library to become the benchmark for libraries in Taiwan.
Library services extend access to all patrons by introducing Universal Design
Each year, hundred educational events, readings, and discussions take place at the Main Library, where is a large space that is highly utilized by all citizens. Thus, it is critically important that the Intelligent Library solutions work well and ensuring all ages users embrace the technology, regardless of physical ability.
The design of IDSmart 24H Thru-wall Book Drop, 24H Self-Checkout Station, and iReserve seat management stations from scratch to ensure providing equitable access to all users. The height of the above-mentioned station’s touchscreen is located no higher than 120 cm from ground level to provide wheelchair access and easy enough for kids to use. Also, Main Library installed IDSmart 3-lanes security gate, which offering a 100cm wider passage width than the required lane width according to the standard of Taiwan’s Disability Act. The wider passage is perfectly fit for wheelchair and large group of users.
ASRS and RFID technology in combination
The planners soon became aware that there was a 16.8 m2 unusable area with 7 meters high in the building corner. Together with architects, librarians, and MiTAC-Claridy’s project managers, Asia’s first 24H Self-Checkout Station (Book Tower) was designed.
24H Self-Checkout Station (Book Tower) is a very comprehensive and innovative service method, which included library domain knowhow, RFID technology, ASRS technology combined with IoT concept. It consists of a pickup point with a 1-way conveyor and a gigantic bookshelf with a movable transfer machine which holds 2,052 books. The pickup point located in a semi-outdoor area can be accessed 24 hours, regardless of the opening hours. Even a night owl user can borrow books and pick up reserved items at any time that convenient to them. It provides a service that is closer to the diversified daily routines of users who live in the metropolitan area.
“24H Self-checkout station to break the traditional service concept & promote a new reading culture,” explains Mr. Gao, Former Director of the New Taipei City Library.
Pioneer as local representative library
Main Library is the symbolic library for the region. It is essential to act as a pioneer in providing innovative service to the community. In 2017, Main Library decided to implement the Facial recognition system for providing cardless lending services. MiTAC–Claridy’s team took up the challenge, went the extra mile with Main Library. The face recognition’s registration platform and software have been integrated with all Self-Service Stations and access control systems of all Unmanned Libraries, offering Taiwan’s first cardless lending service since August 2018.
Moreover, users have been notably interested in IDSmart’s return and sorting system, as it is fun to watch in action. Thanks to Main Library installed it in a location that allows users to see their material travel along the conveyor belt and be sorted.
The new build New Taipei City Main Library is already successful, won the following awards.
- 2015 Innovative Product –The Golden Award
- 2016 Smart City & IoT Application Award
- 2017 WeGO Smart Sustainable City Award
- 2018 Government Service Quality Award
As time goes on, it hopes to continue to act as an example of using technology to increase staff efficiency and provide exceptional service to all ages citizens.
