National Library of Public Information Digital Archives Service Network (NLPI DAS)

Overview

The Digital Archives Service Network (DAS) of the National Library of Public Information (NLPI; Chinese: 國立公共資訊圖書館) in Taichung, Taiwan is an online portal providing access to digitized archival collections held by the NLPI. The NLPI is Taiwan's first national-level digital public library, and its DAS network makes selected digitized materials—including old newspapers and Japanese-language books from the colonial period—available to researchers and the public.

History and Background

The National Library of Public Information traces its origins to 1923, when it was founded as the Taichu Prefectural Library under Japanese administration. After Taiwan's handover to the Republic of China in 1945, it became the Taiwan Provincial Taichung Library. In July 1999, it was renamed the National Taichung Library and placed under the Council for Cultural Affairs. On January 1, 2013, it was formally renamed the National Library of Public Information. The new main library building opened on June 3, 2012, in the South District of Taichung City, replacing earlier premises. The library's design, by architect Joshua Jih Pan, draws on the concept of the Möbius strip and reflects the flow of knowledge.

Collections and Holdings

The NLPI's Digital Archives Service Network focuses particularly on two major categories of digitized primary sources: old Taiwanese newspapers and old Japanese-language books from the Japanese colonial period (1895–1945). These materials have been digitized and made accessible online as part of the library's broader mandate to preserve and promote access to culturally significant historical materials. The NLPI also manages digital resources including e-books, multimedia databases, and audiovisual materials purchased for nationwide public library access.

Notable Materials Related to Journalism and Media

The old newspaper collections in the DAS represent a particularly significant resource for journalism history researchers. These include Taiwanese newspapers published during the Japanese colonial period, offering primary source documentation of press history, colonial-era public discourse, and the development of journalism in Taiwan. The digital accessibility of these materials makes them valuable for both domestic and international researchers.

Access and Usage

The Digital Archives Service Network is accessible online at das.nlpi.edu.tw. The main NLPI building is located at No. 100, Wuquan South Road, South District, Taichung City, and operates Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and is closed on Mondays. The library offers integrated physical and digital reading services and is accessible via public transit near Taichung Station.