KPL collaborates with NDC to incorporate bilingual elements into events and activities. Youth participating in the 27-hour reading theatre used their imagination to bring a lively and joyous bilingual creative drama performance to the stage.

【Kaohsiung】 The ever-popular summer camp “A Night at the Library” was finally back at the Kaohsiung Public Library! Coinciding with the 10^th anniversary of the Kaohsiung Main Public Library, the theme of this year’s camp focused on growth through reading, touching upon the idea that reading is a gateway to exploring courage and growth. The camp involved a series of richly-packed activities that brought immeasurable fun and joy to participating children, including a 27-hour diverse reading experience featuring bilingual activities, opportunities to learn more about the library, a visit to Phase II of the Main Library’s Cultural and Creative Hall, riddle-solving team-building games, and creative drama performances. The event also allowed participants to adapt and recreate the stories of picture books into charming dramas, encouraging them to explore the concepts of self-growth and courage on stage.

Having received countless positive responses from the diverse reading projects held last year, KPL oversees continuing to collaborate with the National Development Council (NDC) in implementing the bilingual policy. Our efforts to incorporate English picture books into reading activities ignited children’s interest in learning. Nearly 200 elementary school students from grade 3 to grade 6 signed up for the camp, hoping to secure one of the 48 final spots. The camp also introduced the participants to the Second Phase of the Main Library’s Cultural and Creative Hall. Aside from visiting the beautiful City Wind Books, participants headed to Phalanity at the Asia New Bay 5G AIoT Innovation Hub to experience immersive technology. “A Night at the Library” also invited the “Happy Bird Story” theatre group and provided a professional performance for the event's opening. Members of the group assumed various roles, such as “Dinosaur,” “Little Girl,” “Small Piglet,” and “Racoon,” from different picture books. Their performance weaved together scenes from different stories, marking the beginning of a journey for courage.

According to KPL’s Acting Director Chen Mei-Ying, the 27-hour reading theatre allowed participating children to bask in the joy of diverse reading activities. With themes of growth and courage, this year’s camp activities coincided with the 10^th anniversary of the Kaohsiung Main Public Library. With ideas from stories of picture books such as A Little Journey of Love and Bravery Soup, participants had to search for mysterious treasures hidden in the library in the middle of the night by finding and decoding clues with their deduction and observation skills. Suprise came in the form of playful night spirits, who would eventually accompany them through the game activities. Participants had to form groups and cooperate with their team members, a process that encouraged them to use their imagination and creativity. These fun and exciting adventures have not only become the participants’ most beautiful and treasured memories of this summer but also nourished their courage to grow. Through these diverse and rich activities, KPL expects to enhance the citizens’ skills and frequency in using the library’s resources, hoping that a growing passion for reading will lead citizens to a better and brighter future.

“A Night at the Library” took place over two days and a night. Participants read picture books from the UK, the US, Japan, and Taiwan. Afterward, they formed groups to plan for their creative drama performance. Participants performed rich and exciting stories adapted from these bilingual picture books during the event's final exhibition session. According to Mr. Chen, the father of one of the participants: “I was very touched and happy to see a group of children performing such a wonderful and interesting play and the growth of my child through these activities.” Participating children also eagerly shared their experiences during the camp with their parents with comments such as, “I was so happy that I got to choose an area in the library to sleep in.” “Wow! It was so exciting when a night spirit suddenly appeared!” “We walked across the sky bridge to see a bookstore and try out immersive digital technology!” “Everyone performed the picture book stories in English together. It was so awesome!” “We went to the rooftop to look at the night sky after the library’s closing time. We saw so many stars and the Port of Kaohsiung. The view was breathtaking!”

“A Night at the Library” allowed participants to explore a jungle of books full of surprises and adventures while providing opportunities to enjoy the view of the Main Library’s unrivaled cultural sceneries, visit the bookstore, and experience immersive interactive technology. Participants worked as teams to create beautiful performances, bringing their imaginations to life on the dazzling stage while doing their utmost to showcase the growth they had experienced. KPL will continue to organize diverse and educational reading activities in the future, including various other events that will take place at the KPL Main Library during the summer vacation. KPL encourages citizens to sign up as quickly as possible for a chance to participate in these activities. For more detailed information, please visit the official KPL website (https://www.ksml.edu.tw/) or engage directly with KPL’s Facebook fan page.