Libraries and Culture
The National Chiao Tung University Library System, centered in the main square of the university campus is home to the largest collection of English literature in Taiwan. With two floors dedicated to English texts it is larger than that of many English libraries at colleges in the United States. The library area is 32,000 square meters and is set in scenic surroundings with a Chinese garden. It has over 1,000,000 volumes of printed texts, more than 3,000 periodicals, over 10,000 full text electronic journals, and more than 100 reference databases.
NCTU operates arts, cultural, and scientific museums. On the seventh floor of the library is a traditional Chinese garden reminiscent of a tranquil Southern Chinese courtyard. The grand lobby area has a rotating display of ancient artifacts. Showrooms are interspaced throughout the library, showcasing artistic talent, historical pieces and other works of art and scientific discovery. A few of the showrooms are rotating and periodically showcase works by local students. NCTU maintains a museum on the history of the university where original documents for the university are on display.
Most of NCTU's Taiwanese students believe in Buddhism, Taoism, and Taiwanese folk religion. Many students visit the local Tu Di Gong temple located before North Gate to pray for exams.
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