The National Central Library changed its classification of Taiwanese literature and history in 2007, officially separating newly-published Taiwanese titles from the Chinese section, but leaving historical Taiwanese publications with China. Now Kaohsiung''s Main Library has become the first in the nation to re-shelve all Taiwanese history and literature titles outside the Chinese categories. A Kaohsiung library employee relocates this photo-book about former President Lee Teng-hui from the Chinese Biography section to Asian Biography. In the future all such books will be shelved together with other Taiwanese biographies under the Asia heading.Pan Cheng-iKaohsiung Main Public Library directorIt’s not just Lee Teng-hui’s photo-book. There are another 5000 or more titles in the main library like this, which are classified under the old method. We will start off by removing them from the shelves. The National Central Library revised classification methods in 2007, making an independent category for Taiwanese history and literature. However, titles dating from before the 2007 cut-off remain under the Chinese category. Kaohsiung’s Main Library made the decision that Taiwan and China should be clear, distinct categories and its residents agree. Shih CheKaohsiung Deputy MayorI suppose this represents an attitude of ours, and it gives all the Taiwanese books and publications which value our subjectivity a good categorization. It also allows us as a library to present a clear understanding in the education we provide for the next generation. It might seem like just a library classification, but Kaohsiung’s choice sends a clear message about their view of Taiwanese identity.
