Taipei Convenience Stores Run Library Service

The city’s public library now lets members pick up or return books at convenience stores.

October 21, 2016

TAIPEI, Taiwan – If you want to pick up a library book along with your latte, that’s not a problem at Taiwan convenience stores, the Taiwan News/Central News Agency reports. The Taipei Public Library has expanded a pilot program nationally by letting members return or pick up volumes at convenience stores.

The library, which stocks more than seven million books, started a book-return initiative in February 2015 at FamilyMart convenience stores. The simple program allowed members to drop off library books at FamilyMart locations.

Following the success of that program, Taipei Public Library has partnered with Hi-Life and 7-Eleven chains to allow both drop off and pick up of library books. Library card holders can register online to check out library materials, which can then be collected at any convenience store participating in the service. However, the library requires a deposit of $6.29 to use the system. Borrowers can check out up to five books at a time through the system.

“By increasing the number of its service spots from 74 to nearly 10,000 around Taiwan, and prolonging its service time to 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, people will be able to get books any time from close to where they live,” according to the Taipei Public Library. “Knowledge can be shared and exchanged everywhere.”

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