Taiwan Online Library 台灣線上圖書館, Minneapolis, MN (2026)

02/26/2026

You might have heard the news about Alex Honnold and his recent challenge to climb Taipei 101. The American rock climber stunned social media by scaling Taipei 101 with his bare hands. No ropes, no safety nets, only skill and nerves. While the feat itself is breathtaking, it also turned global attention back to the building he climbed — Taipei 101.

More than just a skyscraper, Taipei 101 is a symbol of innovation, culture, and resilience. Here are some fun facts about the most iconic landmark in Taiwan.

1. World’s Tallest Building, 2004–2010
Did you know that Taipei 101 was once the tallest building in the world? From 2004 to 2010, Taipei 101 held the title of the world’s tallest building (508 meters / 1,667 ft). Even today, it remains one of the most iconic skyscrapers on the planet.

2. Tallest AND Fastest
If you’re not Alex, we recommend taking the elevator to reach the top. Taipei 101 once had the world’s fastest elevator, reaching 60 km/h (37 mph) and taking only 37 seconds to reach the 89th floor. Your ears may pop before your brain catches up.

3. If Not Bamboo, Why Bamboo-Shaped?
Taipei 101 isn’t just tall. It’s symbolic. Its stacked sections resemble bamboo, which in Eastern culture represents growth, resilience, and prosperity. The coins embedded in the structure and the symmetrical layout also reflect Eastern cultural philosophy through feng shui principles.

4. Heart of Gold
Near the top of the building hangs a 660-ton tuned mass damper—a massive golden sphere that reduces sway during earthquakes and stabilizes the building during typhoons. It’s also one of the few skyscrapers in the world where visitors can actually see this system.

For visitors, Taipei 101 offers shopping, dining, and sightseeing experiences. We definitely recommend paying a visit if you’re planning a trip to Taiwan!

If you’re interested in learning more about Taiwan’s building designs and other tourist attractions, we recommend the following books that you can borrow from the Taiwan Online Library:
- 街屋台灣：100間街屋，100種看見台灣的方式！
- 旅繪台灣：用畫筆，記錄這座島嶼最感動的風景
- 台灣博物館旅行

Photo by JUNHØ on Unsplash

02/19/2026

🎨 Meet Taiwan’s Oil Painting Pioneer - Chen Cheng-Po (陳澄波) and His Eternal “”Tamsui Sunset“” 《淡水夕照》

✨ Born in 1895, Chen Cheng-Po is a major figure in Taiwan‘s art history. As one of Taiwan’s first Western-style painters, he combined Western oil painting techniques with Taiwanese scenes, creating a unique “”Taiwanese flavor“” in his art.

🖼️ One of his most famous works is “”Tamsui Sunset“” 《淡水夕照》. Chen Cheng-Po captured Tamsui‘s most beautiful moment with warm oranges and golden yellows. In this painting, the Tamsui waterfront glows under the setting sun, the waves reflecting the fading light while distant mountains fade softly into the background. The buildings in the foreground create a sense of warmth and life.

📖 Want to learn more about this legendary artist’s life? We highly recommend the book “”Self-Portrait on the Altar: Chen Cheng-Po and His Wife“” 《供桌上的自畫像：陳澄波與他的妻子》. The book tells the story of Chen‘s artistic journey and also beautifully describes his deep love for his wife and his passion for art during difficult times.

📚 This book is now available at the Taiwan Online Library. You are welcome to borrow it and discover the life of this Taiwanese art master!

🔗 Borrow the book here: https://tolib.org/lib/

01/31/2026

Artwork Introduction🖼️
🇹🇼 The Soul of a Taiwanese Winter Night: Steaming Comfort on the Street Corner

When a cold wave hits Taiwan, the damp chill sinks deep. Tired students and workers rush home, heads down against the wind. But then, a scent stops them in their tracks.

It’s the unmistakable aroma of a roadside mutton hot pot stall.

Imagine a broth simmered for over ten hours with giant pork bones and traditional medicinal herbs. You pull up a plastic stool under a bare lightbulb. The first sip is magic—an instant thaw that spreads warmth straight to your bones and brings a rosy glow to your cheeks.

It’s humble, it’s under $5 USD, yet it offers the deepest comfort to a hungry stomach and heart. This is quintessential Taiwanese soul food.

🍲 Experience the Vibe: This vibrant moment has been captured in a stunning painting, currently exhibited at the Taiwan Online Library. We invite you to view it and feel that distant warmth.

🍜Bring the warmth home & Support a cause: If this scene speaks to you, you can purchase the artwork. All proceeds directly support our public welfare initiatives.

👉 View and Purchase here: https://tolib.org/lib/?locale=zh_TW&mode=regular&libAbbr=tolib&gift_purchase=90

01/15/2026

🏆 Read the Winner of the 2024 National Book Award right here in Minnesota!

Ever wondered what Taiwan felt like in the late 1930s? Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄) lets you step into that world through a rail journey—and through food.
We’re excited to share that the Taiwan Online Library now has a copy available for our community to borrow.

Why you’ll want to pick this up:
🏆 An Award-Winning Masterpiece: Written by Yang Shuang-zi and translated by Lin King, Taiwan Travelogue is the first work by a Taiwan-based author to win the National Book Award for Translated Literature.

🍜 A journey told through meals: The story follows a Japanese writer and a Taiwanese interpreter traveling by train across the island. Each stop brings a new dish and a new layer of meaning—showing how food can connect people even when history divides them.

✨ A Powerful Story of Women: Set in 1938, the novel traces the quiet, complicated bond between two women navigating power, language, and what can (and cannot) be said out loud.

If you love food writing, historical fiction, or character-driven stories, this is a rewarding read—thoughtful, vivid, and hard to put down.

🔗 Borrow the book: https://tolib.org/lib/?libAbbr=tolib&locale=en_US

Questions about borrowing/reservations? Drop a comment or message us.

12/18/2025

🥩 Did you know that the famous “Mongolian BBQ” has absolutely nothing to do with Mongolia? It is actually a 100% Taiwanese invention!

🤫 The story dates back to 1950s Taiwan. The legendary comedian Wu Zhao-nan wanted to open a restaurant serving barbecue flavors from his hometown, Beijing. However, due to the political sensitivity of the Martial Law era, using names like “Beijing” or “Beiping” was strictly taboo. So, he improvised and named it “Mongolian Barbecue” instead. This unique buffet style, where you pick your own meats, veggies, and sauces to be stir-fried by a chef on a giant iron griddle, became an accidental classic in Taiwan’s culinary history.

📖 Fascinated by this story? There are so many more secrets hidden in Taiwan‘s food culture! We highly recommend the book “吃的台灣史：荷蘭傳教士的麵包、清人的鮭魚罐頭、日治的牛肉吃法，尋找台灣的飲食文化史“. It takes you on a journey through time, from the Dutch colonial era to the Japanese period, exploring the history of Taiwan through its flavors. The book not only introduces the origins of various foods but also explores how these eating habits have shaped Taiwanese life and how Taiwan has transformed foreign cuisines into unique ”Taiwanese flavors.“

📚 We have added this book to the Taiwan Online Library. You are welcome to borrow it and discover more interesting facts about Taiwan!!
🔗 Borrow the book here: https://tolib.org/lib/

12/12/2025

🎵 This song is the theme of the movie Till We Meet Again (月老 Yue Lao), expressing the bittersweet feeling of a love we once had — that wish to go back to the moment we first met.
But it also reminds us to cherish and enjoy the present moment. ✨

🧣 The title and lyrics mention both “red scarf” and “red string,” two symbols deeply tied to love in Taiwanese culture.
In fact, Yue Lao (月老) is the Matchmaker God, who ties red strings between destined lovers. ❤️

🔴 In Taiwan, red represents passion, life, luck, and warmth, so you’ll see lots of red during Lunar New Year celebrations.
💌 People wishing for good relationships often visit a matchmaker god temple, pray for love, and receive a red string to carry in their wallet — a symbol of the bond that will one day connect them to their true love.

So now, when someone says “I’m waiting for my red string,” you’ll know what it means. 😉✨

🎧 Tell me — what Taiwanese song should I share next time? I’ll tell you the story behind it!

#月老 #紅色圍巾 #華語音樂

12/04/2025

【Feature Interview】
The Story Behind Taiwan Online Library’s Founder — Sam
If you’ve ever joined one of the Taiwan Online Library’s events, you’re probably familiar with Sam, the driving force who’s often working both behind the scenes and on stage. But what brought Sam all the way to Minnesota? And how did that journey lead to the founding of the Taiwan Online Library?

✏️ Please introduce yourself
“Hi everyone, I’m Sam. I moved to the U.S. with my family in 2000. Later in 2002, because of my wife’s job, we settled down in Minnesota until now.”
After twenty years in Minnesota, Sam has grown accustomed to the long winters, but he still feels a deep connection to Taiwan. Growing up in Penghu, he finds a surprising similarity between his hometown and Minnesota.
“Life in Penghu moves at a slower pace. People know their neighbors and look out for one another. When I later moved to a big city, I noticed that although people live physically closer, the emotional distance often feels wider.”
“Minnesota, even though it’s a city, still has that warm, small-town feeling. People are kind and always willing to help each other. It reminds me a bit of home.”

🎸 What are your hobbies?
Behind Sam’s calm and gentle appearance lies a passion for both music and art.
“I love playing the guitar. I used to work as a software engineer, and sometimes when I’d spend hours trying to solve a problem without success, I’d pick up my guitar. Shifting my focus helps me relax, and the solution often comes more easily afterwards.”
“As for painting, that’s something I’ve always enjoyed. To me, art is powerful because there are thoughts and feelings that words can’t easily express. Through painting, I can communicate them in a more direct and complete way.”

📚 What inspired you to start the Taiwan Online Library?
Before founding the library, Sam served as a web administrator for a local Taiwanese association. A few years ago, he received a donation of Taiwanese books from the Overseas Community Affairs Council of Taiwan. Rather than simply passing the books to a local library or church, he decided to create a dedicated online platform, Taiwan Online Library.
“At first, I thought about donating the books to a nearby library or church, but it didn’t quite align with the original purpose of the donation — to make Taiwanese books more accessible to the community. Since I work in software, I thought, why not build a website where people can browse and reserve books for borrowing?”
When asked about his vision, Sam said:
“I hope the library can bring people together and provide more resources for local communities. In the future, I’d love to help other groups build similar services, so the idea doesn’t just stay in Minnesota.”

📽️ What event impressed you the most?
As more people began borrowing books, Sam and the team started organizing cultural events to help promote Taiwanese culture and introduce more people to the library.
Earlier this year, the Taiwan Online Library hosted a Taiwan Culture Festival at the Mall of America, the largest indoor mall in the U.S. The event featured a ribbon dance performance and presentations by young Taiwanese students, showcasing the diversity of Taiwanese art and culture.
“The event turned out even better than we expected. Some things didn’t go exactly as planned, but the success gave us a lot of confidence and valuable experience. It was truly memorable.”

📕 Please recommend a book to our readers.
“The Great Gatsby, I’d say.”
Rather than focusing on the plot, Sam highlights the cultural connections behind it.
“The author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, was born in Saint Paul. Even though the story takes place in Long Island, you can find traces of Midwestern culture throughout the book, as well as the social atmosphere of that era. If you read carefully, you’ll notice many details that reflect everyday American life.”
“In modern society, life moves too fast. We should take more time to notice the connections between ourselves and the surroundings. I hope the Taiwan Online Library can play a part in that journey.”

Spot Sam at our next event? Go say hi! He’d love to share more stories behind the Taiwan Online Library.

"

11/22/2025

🌏 What does it mean to leave home and start over in a new country?
Join us for a powerful online documentary screening that shares the personal journeys of twelve Taiwanese immigrants — their families’ escape from war, their reasons for coming to the U.S., and the challenges of building a life far from home.

If you missed our in-person screening in Minnesota this fall, here’s your chance to experience these moving stories from anywhere.

🎬 Online Documentary Screening — Free & Open to All
🗓 Friday, November 28
⏰ 7:30 PM – 9:15 PM CT
💻 Location: Online
✨ English subtitles included
✨ Everyone is welcome — Americans, international friends, and viewers from any state or country

These stories offer a window into the immigrant experience — the hopes, the struggles, and the search for identity across cultures. Whether you’re interested in Asian American stories, immigration history, or simply love documentaries that touch the heart, we’d love to have you join us.

🕛 Registration Deadline: November 27, 11:59 PM CT
🌐 Event Website: https://tolib.org/event
📝 Register Here: https://tolib.org/signup

11/20/2025

✨ 今天就是 Give to the Max Day 2025！
一年一度、明尼蘇達州最溫暖的公益盛事就在今天，台灣線上圖書館（TOLIB）誠摯邀請您在「今天」伸出支持的力量！

TOLIB 持續透過藝術與文學將台灣故事帶進明州，讓更多人認識台灣文化、凝聚在地社群、陪伴新生代成長，也為台灣人才打造展現的平台。

💛 今天捐款，不論金額大小，都能幫助我們在抽獎池中爭取額外獎金！
您的支持，就是讓台灣的溫度與故事在美國持續發光的力量。

👉 現在就加入我們！讓台灣的聲音在今天被更多人聽見！
🔗 https://give.mn/0oq86f

#台灣線上圖書館
#支持台灣文化
#台灣故事
#文化交流
#明尼蘇達台灣人
#台灣在明州
#台灣文化推廣
#公益捐款
#用行動支持文化
#讓故事被看見
#凝聚社群

✨ Today is Give to the Max Day 2025!
The biggest day of generosity in Minnesota is finally here—and the Taiwan Online Library (TOLIB) needs your support today!

TOLIB continues to share Taiwan’s warmth, culture, and stories across Minnesota through art, literature, and community events—bringing people together, uplifting youth, and showcasing Taiwanese talent.

💛 Every donation made TODAY—no matter the amount—helps us compete for bonus prizes!
Your support keeps Taiwan’s stories alive, present, and shining throughout Minnesota.

👉 Give today and help Taiwan’s voice be heard across Minnesota!
🔗 https://give.mn/0oq86f

11/15/2025

「為什麼你會想來美國？」
每人的答案不盡相同，也許是為了逃離生活，也許是為了追求夢想。但在異鄉的台灣遊子們，或許都經歷過相似的掙扎——哪邊才是真正的家？哪個才是真正的自己？

如果你錯過了之前的「明州台灣人紀錄片放映及畫展」，我們額外加開了一場台灣與美國同步的線上播映會！

🎬 11/28（五）晚上 7:30（美中時間）｜11/29（六）早上 9:30（台灣時間）
我們將舉辦線上放映，邀請大家共同聆聽十二位台灣前輩分享他們動人的生命故事——
他們的父母如何帶著他們躲避戰亂來到美國、幾十年在美國的深耕後，如何面對在異鄉的挑戰與自我身分認同。
📚 台灣線上圖書館誠摯邀請您參加！
🕒 時間： 11 月 28 日（五）7:30 PM – 9:15 PM CT（美中時間）
　　　　 11 月 29 日（六）9:30 AM – 11:15 AM（台灣時間）
💻 地點：線上放映
✨ 免費活動
✨ 影片附有英文字幕，歡迎邀請外國朋友參加。
✨ 住在其他州或台灣的朋友也都歡迎一起共襄盛舉！
🗓 報名截止： 11 月 27 日（四）11:59 PM CT
🔗 活動網站：https://tolib.org/event
📝 報名連結：https://tolib.org/signup

11/14/2025

The Taiwan Online Library (TOLIB) is joining Give to the Max Day 2025!

We share Taiwan’s warmth and stories across Minnesota through art, literature, and cultural exchange—building bridges, connecting communities, and inspiring young people to lead and create.

Donate on November 20 to help us compete for bonus prizes!
Every gift—big or small—keeps Taiwan’s heart and culture alive in Minnesota.

👉 Support TOLIB today and let Taiwan’s stories be heard!
🔗 https://give.mn/0oq86f

台灣線上圖書館（TOLIB）今年將再次參加明尼蘇達州最溫暖的公益盛事——Give to the Max Day 2025！

TOLIB 致力於透過藝術與文學的平台，連結台灣與美國社區，推廣文化交流、凝聚社群、培育青年、並展現台灣人才的光芒。

11/20 當天捐款，不論金額大小，都能為我們爭取抽中獎金的機會！
您的支持不只是維持圖書館的運作，更是幫助我們持續在明尼蘇達州傳遞台灣的溫暖、故事與文化連結。

👉 立即捐款支持 TOLIB，讓台灣的故事被更多人聽見！
🔗 https://give.mn/0oq86f

Taiwan Online Library 台灣線上圖書館

02/26/2026

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01/31/2026

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