Former Shinchiku Prefecture Library

This time I have a chance to come to the 2020 Taiwan Design Exhibition. In fact, there is another purpose, which is to visit the Hsinchu State Library, which was opened for the first time after renovation. The content on display is actually nothing, mainly I want to see this old building. The Hsinchu State Library, which was realized as the property of Shin Kong Life Insurance, was built to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hirohito, Emperor Showa of Japan, who was the prince of Japan, to Taiwan in 1923. It was originally called "Hsinchu Street Library" but was completed in July 1925. After it officially opened in August, it was renamed "Hsinchu State Library". Its architect is Takeo Ushiki, and its own building is a reinforced concrete building with a solemn style. After World War II, it was renamed the "Hsinchu Municipal Library" and was renamed the "Hsinchu County Library" after Hsinchu City was transformed into a county-controlled city. It is said that there were three single-family public libraries in Taiwan during the Japanese Occupation. The first was located in Tainan but has been demolished; the second was the Hsinchu State Library, the most complete preservation; the third was the Taichung State Library, which is now Cooperative vault. Why did it become the property of Shin Kong Life? That's because in 1984 (1984), the Hsinchu County Government sold a number of idle land and buildings, and Shin Kong Life acquired 19 plots of land including the Hsinchu State Library in preparation for building a building. However, some land use problems later emerged, and then the Hsinchu State Library was designated as a municipal historic site in 1998 and cannot be demolished. In 2018, Shin Kong Life agreed to repair and re-use, and the Hsinchu City Cultural Bureau also successfully obtained more than 50 million yuan from the Ministry of Culture. After the renovation, the 2020 Taiwan Design Exhibition officially opened to visit. What about the future? It is said that it may be planned as a compound bookstore in the future. Just imagine the feeling of renting out this whole room to Eslite... OK? not good? In fact, it doesn't matter. After all, it is corporate property, so we can't make irresponsible remarks.

After renovation, it was reopened to the public in October 2020. The buildings during the Japanese Occupation period are full of retro elegance. Although the museum is not used as a library, it exhibits some historical history of Hsinchu and the redefinition of books. It is suitable to take a moment to visit and experience the new style of the old building.

A well-preserved ancient building with a Japanese flavor, beside the river bank, you can see the inside

The exterior is a good place to take pictures, but unless there is a special exhibition event, the interior is basically inaccessible! It’s near the moat, so you can take a photo with the door when you pass by~

"Mori City Reading Space" book fair, displaying about 500 books on architecture, humanities and other life styles Hosted by or to provide the concept of drinking coffee and visiting exhibitions... The exhibition period ends on 12/26 of 110, Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.