After participating in the 2015 National Library Assessment Competition, Anding District Library took home awards for being Library of the Year, a Superior Library, and Library with the Best Innovative Services. As a result of these accolades, on the morning of October 7, 2016, the (National Central Library’s) Librarianship Development Division’s Director Liao Xiu-man led a group of librarians from different public libraries to see Anding District Library. The visit was part of the National Central Library-organized 2016 Public Library Benchmarking, Observation, Professional Development, and Workshops Event.
Anding District Chief Liu Shih-Hsiung spoke first at the event, explaining Anding District’s local culture and distinctive qualities to the visiting group. He also expressed his approval of the National Central Library’s event, which allows people to observe the workings of different libraries so that librarians can learn from one another. He added that the event will help in getting more people to know about Anding District.
Anding District Library gave a presentation that spanned from its own operations and achievements to the creative and thoughtful services it provides. The presenters set aside time to discuss the library’s convenience store book pick up and return service; Anding District boasts the claim of being the nation’s first library to offer this service. Having audience members use their cellphones to rent a book, the presenters wanted the visitors to experience the convenience of renting a book and then knowing it’s waiting to be picked up at the convenience store of their choosing. Overall, the librarians learned a lot by attending this event, as they were able to share their libraries’ operations protocol and work experiences.
In addition to the library operations presentation, Anding District Library made sure guests would be able to receive physical nutrition as well by treating them to a famous local delicacy—the nine-layer rice cake made by Anding’s very own Zhonglun Rice Cake Uncle, which is an eatery that opened in 1930. The visitors also didn’t go home empty-handed, as they were given a gift box full of Soapberry bathing products. Anding District Office is confident that this event was another opportunity to market Anding.