Joanna Nichols Memorial Libraries
Photo courtesy of Alana
A Passionate Advocate
Our libraries are named in honor of Joanna Nichols, a passionate advocate for children with special needs and a devoted TAS parent.. When her daughter Alana was diagnosed with profound hearing loss, Joanna and her husband, Kenny Cheng, embarked on a global journey seeking solutions.
Their determination led to Alana receiving a cochlear implant and benefiting from Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT), enabling her to speak fluently and attend school with her peers at Taipei American School..
Alana flourished at TAS with the help of timely access to hearing technology, strong academic support, an inclusive philosophy, and a school culture that believed in her.
Learning Without Limits
Photo courtesy of Alana
Alana's Story
Today, Alana is a television host and an advocate for children with disabilities, continuing the important work her mother began with the founding of Children's Hearing Foundation (CHF), in 1996. It was the first organization worldwide to offer AVT in Mandarin and has since transformed countless lives across Taiwan.
Always Growing, Always Evolving
Where Print Meets Digital Possibility
The opening of the Joanna Nichols MemorialLibrary marked the beginning of a major shift under the visionary leadership of Dr. Candace Aiani, then the Libraries Coordinator.
From hosting primarily print collections to foster a love of reading, the libraries were among the first in the region to invest heavily in digital platforms and electronic resources that today empower student research, creativity, and collaboration.
"The library is not just where students come to find information. It is where they come to make meaning—and to make a difference."
A Tribute and a Launchpad
Today, the Joanna Nichols Memorial Libraries carry forward Joanna’s inspiring legacy across four unique spaces—Lower School, Middle School, Upper School, and the Chinese Library. Each environment is purposefully designed to spark a love of reading, fuel academic discovery, and build a sense of Community.
From cozy story corners to advanced research tools, our libraries are more than just places to read. They’re vibrant hubs where curiosity grows, ideas take flight, and every student is empowered to explore and express their voice.
Digital Access. Equitably Delivered
Continuing in this rich legacy, In 2021, TAS became one of the few independent schools in the region to bring onboard an electronic resources librarian.
Today, Dr. Warrick serves in that role as part of an equity-driven team of six librarians setting a strategic direction for the development and management of electronic resources and services: Technology continues to serve as the backbone of the library system, providing resource support for reading programs across all divisions, and empowering research courses at the Upper School in alignment with college-level expectations.
Four Libraries, One Vision
In the spirit of Joanna Nichols’ commitment to student access, our libraries remain open beyond regular school hours to ensure every child has opportunity and time to thrive.
Want to learn more about a specific library? Choose a library by clicking its button below to view hours and details for each division.
Library Handbook
More information about us can be found in The Library Handbook, which provides guidance on borrowing policies, materials guidelines, and more. It's designed to help students and families navigate our learning spaces.