Department of Cultural Affairs

I. Hours of Operation Mon. to Fri., 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
II. Telephone (8862) 2550-8393
III. Web site www.chr.taipei.gov.tw
IV. Address 6F & 7F, No. 33, ChengDe Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan
V. Transportation:
(1) TRTS Red Line, Zhongshan Station, Exit No. 2. Approximately 7 min. walk.
(2) Buses: 26, 266, 292, 304, Maishuai Community Bus. Disembark at Jiancheng Park bus stop, or Zhongshan TRTS Station bus stop (approximately 7 min. away by foot).
VI. History:
The Taipei City Archives were founded on June 11, 1952, as a top-level agency of the Taipei City government. Then Taipei City Mayor Wu San-lien served as its first director. On July 1, 1973, it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Civil Affairs, whose chief executive concurrently served as Archives committee director. On November 6, 1999, it was transferred to the Department of Cultural Affairs (then the Bureau of Cultural Affairs). The current Department of Cultural Affairs commissioner Dr. Liao Hsien-hao now serves as committee director.
The Taipei City Archives were originally located at #1232 Hengyang Road, and moved to #17 Qingdao West Road in 1983. Then on April 25, 2002, as part of a program to develop Taipei as a tourism and cultural exchange center, Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou directed that Taipei City Archives be relocated a second time. The Qingdao West Road building became the Taipei City Zhongzheng District No. 1 police department, and on May 19, 2003, the Taipei City Archives moved to their current address (6F & 7F, #33 ChengDe Road, Sec. 2, Taipei).
VII. Introduction:
The Taipei City Archives are a dedicated, professional educational institution for the promotion of cultural assets and a center for the collection of Taipei City's cultural and historical information.
The Archives collect, edit and store previously published documents, as well as interviews of individuals of note and distinguished scholars. Their focus encompasses the broadest imaginable range of subjects, from astronomy to geography, from social conditions, folk customs and individual biographies to arts and literature, historical sites, music and more.
The Department of Cultural Affairs commissioner serves as Archives committee director. At the formal invitation of the Taipei City Mayor, the Department of Cultural Affairs commissioner selects the deputy director and committee members from among experts, scholars, executives of related organizations and school principals. All positions are unpaid and last for one year. Ten committee members served in 2003. The committee also has an executive secretary who administers general affairs and supervises the Archives staff. The Taipei City Archives currently have the following organizational divisions and activities:
1. Compilation Section: Compiles the Taipei City Chronicles and annals of Taipei City history; publishes the Archives Quarterly and a variety of specialized books; organizes oral history forums and Taiwanese history research conferences; exhibits historical documents and materials; oversees guided tours of historical sites in Taipei City, including the training and employment of professional guides; examines and processes files and records slated for destruction; collects books and historical materials; provides document inquiry services; is developing a computerized historical document database; and performs other ad hoc activities.
2. General Affairs Section: Manages documentation, research and testing, accounting, general affairs, the safekeeping of official seals and other activities not included in the duties of the Compilation Section.The Taipei City Archives have an official staff of 11 employees, including researchers, section leaders, editors, assistant editors, writers and secretaries, as well as an additional editor, hired in 1989. Appointed personnel of other government organizations also carry out certain accounting and human resources tasks.
The Taipei City Archives are dedicated to helping Taipei citizens, all Taiwanese and indeed people from around the world to understand the spirit and significance of Taipei's culture. To further Taipei's continuing transformation into an international city, the Archives are committed to the following seven objectives:
1. The computerization of historical documents
2. The acquisition of new storage facilities
3. Increased reader satisfaction
4. Increased application of services for social education
5. Publishing specialized books in coordination with the academic community
6. Creating a dynamic cultural environment in which cultural and educational materials are widely available to the public
7. Publishing electronic reports and strengthening cultural exchanges, in coordination with the Department of Cultural Affairs.