The new Main Library intends to place approximately 300 glass display cases in the stacks of each floor. These are for public display and not for loan. The cases will contain 500 classic monographs of a critical nature or out of print.
Every “out-of-print classic” is unique, as there are few copies of them in circulation, and they possess value as cultural relics, for academic research, and as works of art. There are ten major categories of discontinued classics including monographs, documents, and materials on various topics (disciplines) with content of precious value. These materials are inspiring and possess an intergenerational influence.
Collection books come from publishing company warehouses, from bookstores selling second hand books, from the collections of experts and scholars, from ancient relic collectors, from the National Central Library’s material preservation center, from select publishers, and other sources. The center also solicits donations or lending for exhibitions from organizations, groups, and individuals, in addition to actively seeking donations of key publications from university departments of various fields.
“Key publications” are cleverly displayed on each floor of the library to form a culturally classical reading atmosphere and make the library a place to become closer to and explore knowledge through books, to start a different kind of intellectual journey, and to satisfy the public’s various reading preferences.
Library Introduction
Kaohsiung’s new Main Library, located in Asia’s New Bay Area, and opened in November of 2014, is a space for reading near the Kaohsiung waterfront. It is also the world’s first suspended structure concept design. There are no beams or columns inside the building, thus giving the library a penetrable feeling. More unique is the large number of trees planted inside the library, thereby creating green architecture that is one with the trees and providing a new reading experience.
Purpose of Display
In the early period after its opening, the library had over 700,000 bibliographic items in its collection. In addition to the brand new books on brand new shelves in the library, based on library classification methods the library has also collected and sought the donations of various classic and out-of-print books to create the “Old and Classic Book Exhibition.” This exhibition provides the new library experience of “borrowing new books and appreciating old books,” and allows the public to admire the real appearance of various hard-to-find classic books, in addition to providing an understanding of the great generational significance of books.
Exhibition Name
Unique and Precious Books-Key Publication Showcase
Period of Exhibtion
Date of library opening in November 2014-December 31, 2015.
Exhibition Location
Bookcases in 4-8 floor stacks of the new Main Library.
Exhibition Format
The exhibition plan includes 250 glass exhibition cases in all, with dimensions of 61.4 centimeters in length and 41 centimeters in width, which will be placed on each book shelf (See the picture below). Micro-environmental control and lighting are installed in the cases, including activated carbon or charcoal placed under exhibits for a dehumidifying effect. Lighting inside the cases is provided by a 50 LUX projection light and low ultraviolet devices. There is also an explanation placard placed on the display.
Methods for Preserving Displayed Library Materials
- Before exhibition, all materials are sent to the National Taiwan Library for a 21-day full refrigeration pest removal process in order to effectively exterminate bookworms and prevent them from breeding in order to ensure the safety of books.
- After the freezing extermination process is finished, the books are temporarily placed in the Kaohsiung Museum of History’s collection storeroom (#99, Hesi Rd.) with 14 ping of space (approximately 46 square meters) and a halon gas fire protection system. The storeroom also has an anti-theft surveillance system, as well as an independent 24-hour air conditioning system; the average temperature in the storeroom is set at 22 to 23 degrees Celsius and the average humidity is 55% to 60%. Books will be moved to display cases on the new Main Library’s floors after new books are placed on the shelves.
Insurance and Freight
All exhibition materials are insured wall to wall (they are covered during their transportation from their place of origin to the exhibition site, during the exhibition, and during the return to place of origin). Insurance fees and freight are paid by the Bureau of Cultural Affairs.
Contracts for Providing Materials for Exhibition
The Bureau of Cultural Affairs, as well as other units and individuals providing exhibition materials, will sign a contract. The names of these units and individuals will be on the explanation placards in the display cases.
