Tainan Public Library Opens with MiTAC’s RFID System
“Hello, I am Mi. Welcome to Tainan Public Library.” On a wintery morning, MiTAC’s Mi film crew arrived in Tainan with cameras and recording equipment. The crew warmly greeted the audience while they excitedly explored Tainan Public Library, hoping to capture all the smart devices the library had to offer so that the audience watching the clip would feel as if they are living this unique experience.
Tainan Public Library formally opened on January 2. Many important officials were seen attending the grand opening and witnessing the birth of this new cultural landmark in Southern Taiwan. These officials included: Vice President Ching-Te Lai, Administrative Deputy Minister of Education Teng-Chiao Lin, Mayor of Tainan Wei-Cher Huang, Director of National Palace Museum Mi-Cha Wu, Director-General of National Central Library Shu-Hsien Tseng, as well as reading groups from various counties and cities, and city council members, village chiefs and several guests from various companies. MiTAC’s Chairman Liang Su and Vice President Yuan-Sen Chen were among those observing this memorable moment.
The Tainan Public Library is located near the old site of Yongkang Artillery School in the replanning area of Yongkang Bridge. The library consists of 8 floors from B2 to 6F, with special sections dedicated to children, teenagers and the elderly. By integrating humanities and technologies, the library has preserved the characteristics of Tainan’s 100-year history of public libraries while implementing MiTAC’s RFID smart library system, reaching a brand new milestone for the Tainan Public Library.
When the Mi team arrived at the library, they were anxious to check out the “24-hour self-service book collecting and returning machine” located on the first floor lobby. The machine is the largest in the country and can hold approximately 2,500 books, allowing people to collect and return books by themselves in a simple operation. Through the glass curtain, we could also have a peek of the automatic book sorting machine. The entire process of returning books is performed without manpower and can accurately and automatically sort books. The machine caught many people’s eye on the opening day as it worked like a sophisticated smart factory. Guests, including Vice President Ching-Te Lai and Tainan Mayor Wei-Cher Huang even had a go on the machine and were impressed by its capacity.
Another special feature found in the library is the mascot “Wabao.” The design of Wabao is based on the conservation of Zhangixalus arvalis (a species of tree frog). Its black-framed glasses coincide well with the library. Using Wabao as an inspiration, MiTAC created a cute self-service borrowing and collecting machine dedicated to children’s use. Its fun design makes adults want to use the machine too.
The library is also fully equipped with software and hardware equipment, including MiTAC’s IDSmart security detection doors, self-service borrowing and collecting machine, IDSmart Bookshower, seat reservation devices, librarian workstations, and book inventory scanning devices.
Judging from the crowd that turned up on opening day, it is safe to say that people were very much looking forward to using the Tainan Public Library. With the support of a smart library, Tainan, the ancient cultural capital, will become an even more unique book city.
