Inspired by the concept of “green museum”, the Popular Science Library was created to materialize the philosophy of “making technology closer to life, and improving life via technology”, allowing technology to firmly take root via readings on popular sciences, enabling the museum to become the center for life and learning for the public, which can also broaden the scope of educational learning of the visitors, in turn achieving the goal of “every day is reading day and everyone is a scientist”.
The most noticeable characteristic of the reading room is that all the books are categorized according to different popular science themes, and major themes are devised based on the readers’ preferences, where color-code management system is applied for the convenience of readers. There are 9 major popular science themes, including: Beauty of Physics, World of Chemistry, Nature and Technology, Organisms and Homo sapiens, World of Flora and Fauna, Science Encyclopedia, Astronomy and Geography, Mathematics and Information Technology, as well as Medicine and Healthcare. There are also 5 major themes: Scientific Experiment, Innovation and Invention, Energy and Environmental Protection, Scientist’s Story and Beauty of Horticulture.
Besides periodicals and books, the library also features the “popular science comic area” section designed by renowned caricaturist Yao-chieh Huang. The world of science as portrayed through the caricaturist’s pen embodies images of the Universe, astronomy and technology for nature in the form of 4 murals in the comic area, allowing children to absorb scientific knowledge imperceptibly by reading comics in a relaxing atmosphere. In turn, they will be encouraged to read more advanced popular science publications.
The Popular Science Library is located on in NSTM’s South Complex, providing a reading space of roughly 1,650 m2 stocked with popular science books, DVDs, comics and children’s books. There is also a free reading area outside the reading room in the lobby of the South Complex. The opening hours of the reading room and library are 09:00-17:00 from Mon. to Sun, and no self-study is permitted in the reading room. Only NSTM staff, volunteers and holders of Popular Science Card are allowed to borrow books.
