English 
正體中文 
Yuan Ze University continued to promote its University Social Responsibility (USR) initiative by bringing campus knowledge into the community. Wei-Ren Chen, faculty member of the College of General Studies, hosted two sessions of the program “Reading Youth: The Books I Love” at the Taoyuan Public Library Main Branch on August 17 and September 6.
The courses combined stories of Taoyuan’s old city development, local legends of the City God and Earth God, as well as the rich historical and culinary connections of Zhongli and Longgang. The events attracted many history and literature enthusiasts, as well as teenagers, creating a lively atmosphere of interaction.
This program was part of the National Central Library’s “Integrated Development Project of Public Library Resources,” organized this year by the Taoyuan Public Library, and implemented by Yuan Ze University’s Center for Sustainability and Social Responsibility together with the College of General Studies. The course design was based on the library’s collection of books on Taoyuan’s history, geography, literature, and cuisine, with two themes: “Hidden Treasures on the Map: The Historical Evolution of Taoyuan Living Spaces” and “The Link Between Taste and Mind: Exploring Taoyuan’s Local Flavors.” Participants were encouraged to first learn about the city through reading, then deepen their understanding with field visits and sensory experiences, ultimately leaving behind their own Taoyuan stories.
Chen remarked that libraries served as important spaces for knowledge circulation and could be regarded as a cultural consumption model of “renting instead of buying,” which aligned with the spirit of sustainability. He also noted that the Ministry of Culture’s recent promotion of the Public Lending Right policy enabled creators and publishers to receive reasonable compensation. Chen emphasized that, with careful guidance, library resources could be made more responsive to individual needs and generate maximum value.
The College of General Studies at Yuan Ze University had long promoted the “Taoyuan Cultural Corridor” project, continuing to share outcomes with citizens through partnerships with public institutions while fostering a stronger reading culture. Participating student Yi-Hsuan Lin noted that Taoyuan’s diverse population contributed to its unique food culture. She recalled being especially impressed when Chen introduced halal food and even taught them an Arabic greeting, “Assalamu alaikum.” The courses also incorporated the picture book “Little Black Beer Explores Taiwan: Taoyuan – Festivals / Longgang Mosque × Exploring World Culture,” which enabled learners of different ages to engage deeply in the learning experience.
