Lingering Library

'Sitting on the stone steps under the setting sun, I am willing to wait a lifetime for this child to tie the ribbon at his own leisurely pace with the fingers of a five-year-old child. Take it slow, child, take it slow', Lung Ying-Tai, a renowned Taiwanese writer, wrote in the beginning of her book Take it Slow, Child.
During the trial operation period of Taipa Library, Macao writer Joe Tang and his wife brought their two daughters to visit the new pavilion and enjoyed the fun of reading with children. 'Take it slow, child, take it slow' - cultural substance is nurtured in this way.

Once they stepped into Taipa Library, seven-year-old Laureen and four-year-old Carrie jumped up and down with excitement. Located in the basement of Central Park, the Taipa Library featured a circular interior design where one can return to the starting point going in one direction. However, Laureen and Carrie enjoyed themselves so much in the Children’s Library that they did not want to leave. The Children’s Library occupies one-third of the library area, with the Children’s Theatre being the most intriguing highlight where theatre for children will be performed regularly during specific sessions in future. 
Although there was no performance on the day they visited, Joe Tang’s wife sat with her girls in the Children’s Theatre and began to read them a story chosen from a book on the bookshelf. The story the mother told was about animals looking for materials to make a birthday cake, it happened that that day was the mother’s birthday so the two girls immediately unleashed their creativity and made a ‘birthday cake’ with the small cushions around; later, when the mother spoke about the animals in the book singing a birthday song the girls also sang a birthday song for their mother, perhaps the warmest birthday present for their mother. 
Upon leaving the Children’ Theatre, Laureen and Carrie spotted the workers building a tree house inside the library, which will open to children for their reading in future. In addition, the library has selected facilities that are suitable for children’s reading, such as the kids’ tables and chairs made of a soft material that fits their height and is secure for children to use. After the library staff’s introduction, the girls started to choose their books; little as they are, Laureen and Carrie have already read many books and they are able to introduce the books they have at home or have read. At last, the younger Carrie picked up The Tortoise and the Hare, whilst her elder sister Laureen is interested in a diversity of children’s books such as popular science about dinosaurs and vessels.
In Macao, there are not many reading spaces for children. Upon the operation of Taipa Library, Joe Tang believes it can nurture children’s reading habits: “When other children come here to read, my child will also pick up a book”. He thinks that children have the instinct of imitation thus a comfortable reading environment will help them experience the fun of reading.
Nowadays, children have to face competition at an early age, and it is unlikely that all parents can witness their children’s growth as calmly as Lung Ying-Tai did; thus, reading with their kids is perhaps the most fruitful, quality family time. If one day someone revisits this library and recalls the memory of reading with their parents in childhood, the Taipa Library may become the best witness of growth.

// Two sisters explore the world of picture books with their father inside the treehouse.

// Playfully demonstrated by Laureen and Carrie, seats in the children’s area are specially designed for them. 

// The elder sister Laureen is interested in general science books 

//  Children can not only learn the written language but also cultivate their aesthetic conception.

//Reading is good for parent-child communication.

// Taipa Library is situated at the entrance of Taipa Central Park.

// The fun of reading is the sharing between children; two sisters are telling each other what they have read.

Phone number: 28843105    Address: B1, Taipa Central Park, Rua de Seng Tou, Taipa