Meeting happiness in the library. The Happy 5 Pls!
In Greek mythology, the owl is revered as the servant of the goddess Athena and is known as a sacred bird of the gods. It symbolizes wisdom, possesses spiritual powers , and can unravel natural mysteries hidden from human sight, thus safeguarding humanity.
To promote our public information service, we have four mascots that embody our core values of Reading, Exploring, Recreation, and Learning. They are RUPI, EEPI, APPI, and LAPI. The "PI" in their names represents public information, derived from the new library name: the National Library of Public Information. These four owl mascots serve as messengers of wisdom and are accompanied by the popular book-transportation robot, BOPI, in our library. Together, they form the "Happy 5 PIs"!
In response to the digital age, our aim is to transform the Library into a "REAL" library. The "R" stands for Reading, the "E" for Exploring, the "A" for recreAtion, and the "L" for Learning. Below, we will elaborate on the definition and direction of a REAL library.
Rupi - Brown wood owl Libra 10/10
Rupi is the younger brother and a speed reader with excellent organizational logic skills. He excels in mathematics and IT-related questions.
He is one of the largest owlets in Taiwan's owl family, making him quite a big guy in the primeval forest.
As a juvenile owl who recently left his nest, Rupi has a fluffy white body with a brown face, which adds to his adorable appearance. However, due to his immature feathers, he is only capable of short jumps.
Vision：Reading.
Meaning：In line with our vision, we offer LUCKY BOOKS to create personalized study experiences. We also provide convenient KIOSK stations for accessing the latest information on various topics. Additionally, our library features Geographical Information System-guided bookshelves, AR cards for 3D reading, and interactive story houses designed to immerse children in the enchanting world of picture books.
Eepi - Short-eared owl Sagittarius 12/01
Eepi is a popular guy with a positive attitude, always filled with curiosity about the new and unknown. He has a deep passion for natural science.
Unlike other owls, the "ear" tufts on Eepi's head are not prominent and only perk up when he is alerted. He belongs to the family of plain owls.
Eepi is a lone wolf who possesses the remarkable ability to fly silently, making him a stealthy hunter active during the day. He is known as a "Natural Born Killer." One of his ultimate skills is flapping his wings without actually moving an inch.
Vision：Exploring
Meaning：In alignment with our vision, we strive to create spaces exclusively designed for different groups. These spaces cater to diverse communities such as the visually or hearing impaired, multicultural groups (including American, British, French, and new immigrants), seniors, children, and young adults.
Appi - Oriental scops owl Taurus 05/15
Appi is the younger sister who brings joy and laughter to everyone around her. She has a deep passion for attending expos, listening to music, and her favorite subject is art.
With a tiny body, Appi has a dark gray beak and claw tips. Her feathers display a beautiful gradient of colors, ranging from bright red to gray. In Taiwan, most Oriental scops owls are currently either brown or red, and generally, the younger they are, the more likely they are to have a red hue.
During their resting hours at night, these owls often emit short chirps resembling an "oww" sound.
Vision：Recreation
Meaning：Our library offers a wide range of recreational activities beyond reading. Visitors can explore digital expos, indulge in internet leisure, enjoy visual-audio videos, engage in multimedia creations, access e-newspapers, immerse themselves in digital games, and participate in tabletop games.
Lapi – Long-eared owl Capricorn 01/15
Lapi is the big brother, a living encyclopedia of the forest. He constantly seeks knowledge and possesses a wealth of information in history and geography.
With relatively bigger and more prominent earholes under his feathers, Lapi's ears play crucial roles in sound localization and hunting. However, the long ear tufts on his head are not related to his actual ears.
Lapi tends to be a homebody, often staying on the same branches and conducting most of his activities there.
As a lone wolf, Lapi prefers hunting by the road at night.
Vision：Learning
Meaning：The design of our new building integrates Taiwan's dynamic surface and stratigraphic textures, incorporating large windows that open up to the surrounding nature. This integration enhances the interaction with the environment. Additionally, different areas within the library provide furniture with diverse functions to cater to the specific needs of the general public.
BOPI Gemini, 6/3
Younger sister. She resides in the immaculate Book Drop area and occasionally moves around in the Child Learning Center. Whenever she appears, she becomes the center of attention and must be accompanied by professional nannies to fulfill her mission. Remarkably, BOPI can transport up to 40kg of books at a time!
BOPI's name was chosen by the readers. It follows the pattern of every library mascot having "PI" (representing public information) in its name, which, when combined with "books," results in BOPI!
Developed in collaboration with the Precision Machinery Research & Development Center, BOPI's primary purpose is to automatically transport returned children's books to the Child Learning Center. It possesses the ability to communicate in four languages and serves as both a storyteller and the spokesperson of the library.
Currently, our mascots are extensively featured on our library cards, KIOSKS, smart logistics system gates, various announcements, and promotional items.
These four visions embody our aspirations for the National Library of Public Information to become a haven for reading, exploration, and lifelong learning. We aim to provide services and spaces tailored to the needs of individuals of all ages and groups, enabling the general public to discover resources suited to their requirements. Our ultimate goal is to become the most significant "third living space" for the community beyond their homes and workplaces.
