Two Kaohsiung Public Library Branches Win Reading Promotion Awards

Central News Agency, Kaohsiung, May 28. The Shanlin and Mituo Park branches of the Kaohsiung Public Library have both won the Ministry of Education's 115th annual 'Reading Rock Award - Reading Promotion Group Award' for their innovative reading promotion programs, demonstrating success in bridging the urban-rural reading gap and promoting cultural equality. The Kaohsiung Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that the Shanlin branch won for its 'Active Reading Action, Heart of Shanlin' program. Facing challenges like an aging population and high proportions of disadvantaged families, the branch has partnered with Compal Electronics and the Hakka Affairs Council to promote bilingual and science reading. The Mituo Park branch won for its 'DOC x 4D Reading Dream-Chasing Action,' marking its second national recognition since 111. By integrating local features with Digital Opportunity Centers (DOC), the branch has published shadow puppet playbooks and produced documentaries. In 114, it recorded 235,107 book loans. Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Wang Wen-tsui noted that Kaohsiung's 60 library branches promote a 'one branch, one feature' policy, creating friendly learning environments for all ages.