SDG11
NCKU Library Phase III Renovation Opens: Reading Spaces Upgraded, Coffee Aroma Returns to Daily Life
To continuously enhance the user experience, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Library has been implementing a space renovation plan since 2014. The first two phases of renovation were completed on December 16, 2020, and April 2, 2024, respectively. The third phase officially opened today (December 23, 2025) with an inauguration ceremony. This upgrade covers the 4th and 5th floor reading areas, the light-refreshment lounge on the east side of the 1st-floor lobby, and the newly added “Pin Cang Café (品藏小館)” on Basement 1, bringing the long-missed aroma of coffee back to the library. Simultaneously, the “AI Smart Librarian Q&A System” has officially launched, offering consultation, navigation, and reference services, marking a new stage of technology-enhanced support for reading.
During the opening remarks, NCKU Assistant Vice President Ping-Sheng Wu (吳秉聲) expressed gratitude to the team who have long contributed to the library’s space renovation and reviewed the historical evolution of NCKU Library, emphasizing its evolving roles over time. He noted that the library has always been a key venue for knowledge acquisition and exchange. With the advancement of AI technology, the role of physical libraries continues to be redefined. Contemporary libraries are expected not only to deliver knowledge but also to provide spaces that foster knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary interaction, and critical thinking. Assistant Vice President Wu highlighted that the introduction of a café in this renovation enhances the library’s openness, bringing it closer to campus life and creating stronger connections with the city. On behalf of President Meng-Ru Shen (沈孟儒), he also thanked alumni for their support and encouraged faculty, students, and readers to provide feedback to guide future optimization and expansion of library spaces and services.
Library Director Tzu-Fang Fu (傅子芳) stated that as part of an urban university, NCKU Library strives to be more than just a repository for books—it is a hub of knowledge and culture. The renovation spans multiple floors to create more flexible and open reading and interaction spaces. In today’s era of communication through mobile devices and computers, the library aims to encourage and facilitate real human interaction, fostering care for others and self-reflection, allowing participants to experience warmth and connection. Director Fu expressed gratitude to President Shen for supporting the renovation and fundraising efforts, as well as to generous alumni and internal teams whose contributions made the project possible.
Special guests included Secretary-General Ming-Chih Chen (陳明智) of the NCKU Global Alumni Association and Honorary Chair Mei-Juan Yang (楊美娟) of the NCKU EMBA Taipei Alumni Association, who attended the event to express their delight and congratulations. Director Fu personally guided attendees on a tour, highlighting the renovated spaces and features.
Building on the “flexible, diverse, comfortable, and reading-friendly” philosophy established in Phases I and II, Phase III incorporated professional planning and design to meet the expectations of readers and society. The 4th-floor book donation area was redesigned to better accommodate readers’ needs, providing multifunctional seating and reading spaces that balance personal boundaries with comfort, enhancing immersive reading and reflection. The 5th-floor research rooms were fully renovated and new silent pods were added, offering an optimized environment for faculty and graduate students to conduct independent research, writing, and focused study.
The Basement 1 gallery also welcomed back the aroma of coffee. The “Pin Cang Café,” founded by four students from NCKU EMBA Class 117, embodies the spirit of “taking from NCKU, giving back to NCKU,” applying on-campus knowledge to practical use. They hope the café will serve as a relaxing corner for faculty and students after reading, a boost of energy before late-night reports, and a casual meeting space for friends, teachers, or classmates, becoming a warm extension of the library culture.
In addition to the space renovation, the “AI Smart Librarian Q&A System” was launched at the S-Service self-help area on the 1st floor of the main library. It offers text and voice inquiries in both Chinese and English, providing instant answers about library collections, database usage, and facilities. Developed by the Library Systems and Information Team in collaboration with Chair Professor Sun-Yuan Hsieh’s team from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, the system integrates generative AI, voice, and animation technologies, currently containing over 600 Q&A entries. From December 23, 2025, to January 31, 2026, the library is hosting a “Chibi AI Smart Librarian Voting Event” with prizes, inviting faculty and students to participate.
Through this space renovation, NCKU Library continues to fulfill its social responsibility, enhance academic exchange, and create innovative and diverse values. Readers are warmly invited to experience the newly upgraded reading and service environment, witnessing the elegant transformation of the library while sharing in the warmth and joy of this renewal.
During the opening remarks, NCKU Assistant Vice President Ping-Sheng Wu (吳秉聲) expressed gratitude to the team who have long contributed to the library’s space renovation and reviewed the historical evolution of NCKU Library, emphasizing its evolving roles over time. He noted that the library has always been a key venue for knowledge acquisition and exchange. With the advancement of AI technology, the role of physical libraries continues to be redefined. Contemporary libraries are expected not only to deliver knowledge but also to provide spaces that foster knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary interaction, and critical thinking. Assistant Vice President Wu highlighted that the introduction of a café in this renovation enhances the library’s openness, bringing it closer to campus life and creating stronger connections with the city. On behalf of President Meng-Ru Shen (沈孟儒), he also thanked alumni for their support and encouraged faculty, students, and readers to provide feedback to guide future optimization and expansion of library spaces and services.
Library Director Tzu-Fang Fu (傅子芳) stated that as part of an urban university, NCKU Library strives to be more than just a repository for books—it is a hub of knowledge and culture. The renovation spans multiple floors to create more flexible and open reading and interaction spaces. In today’s era of communication through mobile devices and computers, the library aims to encourage and facilitate real human interaction, fostering care for others and self-reflection, allowing participants to experience warmth and connection. Director Fu expressed gratitude to President Shen for supporting the renovation and fundraising efforts, as well as to generous alumni and internal teams whose contributions made the project possible.
Special guests included Secretary-General Ming-Chih Chen (陳明智) of the NCKU Global Alumni Association and Honorary Chair Mei-Juan Yang (楊美娟) of the NCKU EMBA Taipei Alumni Association, who attended the event to express their delight and congratulations. Director Fu personally guided attendees on a tour, highlighting the renovated spaces and features.
Building on the “flexible, diverse, comfortable, and reading-friendly” philosophy established in Phases I and II, Phase III incorporated professional planning and design to meet the expectations of readers and society. The 4th-floor book donation area was redesigned to better accommodate readers’ needs, providing multifunctional seating and reading spaces that balance personal boundaries with comfort, enhancing immersive reading and reflection. The 5th-floor research rooms were fully renovated and new silent pods were added, offering an optimized environment for faculty and graduate students to conduct independent research, writing, and focused study.
The Basement 1 gallery also welcomed back the aroma of coffee. The “Pin Cang Café,” founded by four students from NCKU EMBA Class 117, embodies the spirit of “taking from NCKU, giving back to NCKU,” applying on-campus knowledge to practical use. They hope the café will serve as a relaxing corner for faculty and students after reading, a boost of energy before late-night reports, and a casual meeting space for friends, teachers, or classmates, becoming a warm extension of the library culture.
In addition to the space renovation, the “AI Smart Librarian Q&A System” was launched at the S-Service self-help area on the 1st floor of the main library. It offers text and voice inquiries in both Chinese and English, providing instant answers about library collections, database usage, and facilities. Developed by the Library Systems and Information Team in collaboration with Chair Professor Sun-Yuan Hsieh’s team from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, the system integrates generative AI, voice, and animation technologies, currently containing over 600 Q&A entries. From December 23, 2025, to January 31, 2026, the library is hosting a “Chibi AI Smart Librarian Voting Event” with prizes, inviting faculty and students to participate.
Through this space renovation, NCKU Library continues to fulfill its social responsibility, enhance academic exchange, and create innovative and diverse values. Readers are warmly invited to experience the newly upgraded reading and service environment, witnessing the elegant transformation of the library while sharing in the warmth and joy of this renewal.
The third-phase library renovation officially opened on the 23rd with an inauguration ceremony, followed by a group photo of the attending guests.
Director Tzu-Fang Fu stated that, as part of an urban university, NCKU Library strives to be not just a repository for books, but also a hub for the convergence of knowledge and culture.
The book donation area on the 4th floor was redesigned to better meet readers’ needs, offering multifunctional reading seats and spaces that create a reading environment balancing personal boundaries with comfort.
Silent pods were added on the 5th floor, providing an optimized environment for faculty and graduate students to engage in independent thinking, data writing, and focused research.
Four students from NCKU EMBA Class 117 jointly established the “Pin Cang Café,” embodying the spirit of “taking from NCKU, giving back to NCKU” and putting what they learned on campus into practical application.
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