TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung welcomed the opening of the Museumbrary on Saturday, a 5,000-square-meter library-museum hybrid funded by a NT$480 million (US$15 million) municipal grant and private donations, per FAD Magazine.

The facility in Xitun District targets Taiwan’s 15% drop in youth readership over the past decade, per Ministry of  Education data released in 2024. Officials project 500,000 visitors in the first year with free admission.

Lin Mei-ling (林美玲), director of the Taichung Cultural Affairs Bureau, cut the ribbon at the ceremony attended by Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) and 300 residents. “The project counters screen time with interactive programs,” Lin said.

Key features include a “Living Library” with AI narration of Taiwanese folklore next to Qing Dynasty (1636–1912) scrolls. The site has 20,000 books, 50 workshops and a rooftop garden. Architect Chen Wei-han (陳偉漢) of Taichung-based Formosa Design led the two-year construction, drawing from Singapore’s National Library Board models.

Teacher Wang Lee-juan (王麗娟) of Xitun Elementary said the venue supports post-COVID recovery efforts. Social media posts reported 1,200 visitors by 3 p.m., with initial parking issues noted on the city’s Line group.

The Museumbrary operates 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and until 10 p.m. weekends. Details: taichungmuseumbrary.gov.tw.