In view of Taiwan's location in the Asia-Pacific region and its responsibility as a key partner in the region, the National Library of Public Information plans to convene the 2024 ASIA-PACIFIC PUBLIC LIBRARY FORUM IN TAIWAN （APPLFTW）.

As a member of the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan has the responsibility to join hands with the Asia-Pacific region to pursue common prosperity. On May 16, 2024, the National Library of Public Information （NLPI） held the 1st Asia-Pacific Public Library Forum, focusing on the impact of smart technology on libraries. Representatives from Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan were invited to share the characteristics of public libraries at home and abroad and to explore the future trends of libraries through presentations and forums.
 

"What will libraries look like with the advancement of technology?" Ms. Xiang Ping Ma, Director of NLPI, said that libraries are the preservers, guardians, and promoters of culture, and they have the responsibility to make good use of intelligent technology to reduce the knowledge gap, and then to promote the sense of sustainability. "We are constantly thinking that we should create a platform for the public library community to share ideas, and through international forums, representatives of libraries around the world can exchange ideas with each other in order to collaborate and pursue a better future for all.”
 

Asia-Pacific Public Library Forum　Creating a platform for learning and communication

In recent years, there has been a boom in the development of smart technologies, be it artificial intelligence, Internet of Things or big data, and even the introduction of Chat GPT, which has created a whirlwind of knowledge and possibilities for the future of libraries. Therefore, the theme of APPLFTW focuses on "Transforming Library Services with Intelligent Technology" and "Public Library Services in China and Abroad.”

In terms of intelligent technology, the National Library Board（NLB） of Singapore brought "Using Robots to Turn Library Operations Around", the National Library of Korea shared "Korean Memory Project: Digital Collection of Knowledge and Information Resources"; and Professor Zhong Xin Zhou of the Tung Hai University（THU） and NLPI brought "Technology Leads Reading: A New Era of Library Intelligent Services" and "Virtual Librarians: Utilizing Chat GPT".

In terms of special services of public libraries, the National Libraries of Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia have sent their staff to share their creative solutions for enhancing children's literacy and moving towards lifelong learning. In addition, NLPI also invited Taichung City, Tainan City and Kaohsiung City Libraries to share how public libraries in China have developed unique services and innovative contents according to local conditions. conditions.

NLPI Utilizes smart technology to promote equal rights in reading

"The State Library is committed to the sustainable development of libraries and the use of technology to provide a more user-friendly conduit of knowledge to the public," she said. In her speech, Ms. Xiang Ping Ma said that as the first national library in Taiwan that combines digital and physical reading, NLPI sees opportunities in technological evolution, and by the end of May 2023, it will be working with the team of Professor Zhong Xin Zhou of THU to develop "Xiao Shu," a generative (GPT) AI intelligent librarian.

After the launch of "Xiao Shu", it has become the librarian's right-hand man by providing patron consultation and collection recommendation services. "Xiao Shu", which adopts the image generation and Chat GPT technologies, not only expands the public's access to library services, but also symbolizes that the Taiwan Public Library has formally stepped into a new era led by smart technologies.

Xiang Ping Ma believes that the rapid development of technology has changed people's reading habits, but in the digital wave, libraries should make good use of intelligent technology and create various possibilities of reading through multiple carriers, such as in addition to paper books, but also through e-books and audiobooks to eliminate the gap in knowledge, and thus to achieve the affirmative action of reading.。

Through the convening of the Asia-Pacific Public Libraries Forum, international exchanges and cooperation were strengthened, information sharing was provided to the library community and participants from the Asia-Pacific countries, and active dialogues were opened on issues such as intelligent technology and innovative library services. The exciting topics and innovative thinking strategies also created new opportunities and infinite possibilities for the development of the future blueprint of public libraries' sustainable operation.