Against the 2016 Kaohsiung Earthquake, Southern Taiwan University of Science and
Technology teamed up its Alumni to recover the library

Against the major earthquake happening in Kaohsiung early in the morning of February 6, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology began its crisis management immediately. Under the command of President Chien Tai, STUST investigated conditions of the buildings on the campus, the safety of teachers and students, and the damages the disaster had caused. Above all, the collapse of all the bookshelves made the school library particularly in need of volunteers. Before the school started, STUST openly solicited volunteers in and out of the school. The restoration work of the library is divided into five phases. To meet the demand for library resources by teachers and students, during the recovery period, STUST has requested 17 colleges and universities nationwide for free, specialized library resources related to "paper book Loan" and "paper periodicals transfer service.” The enthusiasm and love of STUST alumni were more than that. Yong-Chang Su, chairman of STUST EMBA Association offered a reasonable resolution in the broad meeting, donating to the Library NT$ 100,000, which was originally for gatherings and activities. The Association of Bosses’ Wives made a donation of NT$ 200,000 to the library, together with 200 large pan-fried stuffed buns, 4 boxes of mineral water, large garbage bags, rewarding the volunteers who came to the restoration work. Tainan Alumni Association former chairman Yuan-Nan Guo also brought 15 students to make a lot of recovery efforts, in the hope that those who like to go to the library could work together.

【Against the 2016 Kaohsiung Earthquake, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology teamed up its Alumni to recover the library】

The rehabilitation of the library will proceed with work in five phases. The work of the first phase is to remove the collapsed bookshelves from the damaged area. Colleagues and volunteers worked around the clock and make great efforts ahead of schedule, thus starting the second phrase. Inventory work was given to bookshelves and damaged equipment before detections, corrections, and maintenance work were done on bookshelves. Wenzao University Library and the Library of National Kaohsiung first University of Science and Technology Library each sent 10 transport vehicles for books. National Cheng Kung University Library also promised to provide STUST with 30 transport vehicles for books after they find a way for delivery and shipping. The restoration work in the third and the fourth phrases is for adjustment and movement of a large number of books, along with sorting and the preparatory work of bookshelf arrangement. The fifth phrase is to open the library floors again.

【The Association of Bosses’ Wives made a donation of NT$ 200,000 to the library, together with 200 large pan-fried stuffed buns, 4 boxes of mineral water, large garbage bags, rewarding the volunteers who came to the restoration work.】

Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology has served as the chairman of the "South Division of Library and Information Committee of China Association for international cooperation" and the "Integration Committee of Library Resources of Technical and Vocational Universities.” After the earthquake, STUST began to investigate library resources not affected to request assistance to each other. Currently there are 17 universities and colleges offering STUST special library services, making it impossible for STUST to continue its service to teachers and students. These enthusiastic libraries include Longhwa University of Technology, Pingtung University, the United States and the University of Science and Technology, National Taitung University, National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, Providence University, National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, China Medical University, Tzu Chi University, National Taiwan Hospitality and Tourism University, National Dong Hwa University, and many others.

【President Chien Tai (left) showed his appreciation to Chairman Ming-Hui Chou of STUST Alumni Association president (right)】

In order to recover as soon as possible, the library of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology had begun soliciting volunteers from students before the school started. The curator also provided volunteers with free lunch and drinks. Teachers, students, and alumni continued to bring the volunteers supportive responses and great warmth. Teams from the National STUST Alumni Association, Tainan Alumni Association, Softball players, librarians, and volunteers all came up for cheering and pledging before they went into the library to help. More alumni came, not only from Tainan but also from Kaohsiung and Pingtung. They took a special trip back to the campus to help and, by the opportunity, to see the growth of STUST.