The children readers participated in practical activities at the “Children Readers’ Classes” in the Xiangyang Library, Hubei Province. Photo by Peng Yiwei, the All-media Journalist

Peng Yiwei, the All-media Journalist, and Yan Li and Xu Zhonghua, the Correspondents

Book borrowing is often the first impression people have of a library. In today’s era of diverse demands, libraries are actively pursuing innovation and transformation. The children’s borrowing area has evolved into an engaging playground where children can participate in hands-on activities. The previously inconspicuous audio-visual room has been reimagined as a “second cinema.” The “cloud space” now features health consultants and the “exam preparation area.” Through these continuous enhancements, Xiangyang Library in Hubei Province is enabling an increasing number of readers to discover multiple ways to engage with the library.

The Borrowing Area Evolves into a Functional Playground

On the morning of September 14, in the children’s borrowing area of the Xiangyang Library, Zhang Bingbing, a staff member of the “Children Readers’ Classes,” stood at the entrance of the activity room awaiting readers’ arrival. The children entered with cheerful chatter, reminiscent of a flock of lively birds. On the table were all the materials required for this activity class—balloons, cardboard, double-sided tape, scissors, and various decorations. As temperatures begin to cool and summer gradually fades away, Zhang Bingbing guides children in creating balloon ice cream to preserve their delightful summer memories.

After presenting the completed product and elucidating the production process, it was time for the children to begin their own creations. Zhang Bingbing circulated throughout the activity room, observing attentively and occasionally offering hands-on guidance.

The “Children Readers’ Classes” is a public welfare initiative for children’s reading, launched by the Xiangyang Library and Xiangyang Children’s Library in 2016. It serves as a children’s reading club that integrates elements of reading, reflection, presentation, and competition. Following the merger of the Xiangyang Library and Xiangyang Children’s Library, the activities associated with this brand have been thoughtfully redesigned. Today, the “Children Readers’ Classes” stands not only as a fertile ground for fostering reading among minors but also as a practical activity hub cherished by both parents and children.

“Two sessions of practical activities are held every weekend, focusing on the ideological and moral development of minors, as well as traditional culture. Each activity accommodates 25 participants and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Before each session, the official WeChat account of Xiangyang Library has published a preview message, after which seats tend to be filled almost instantaneously.” Li Zhengfang, a staff member of the “Children Readers’ Classes,” stated that to provide more children with opportunities to participate, the summer schedule for the “Children Readers’ Classes” has been expanded to four sessions per week. Lucky participants will be randomly selected at the library on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Varied Activities Enrich the Readers’ Experience

By targeting diverse demographic groups and enhancing service functionalities, Xiangyang Library is exploring various avenues to broaden its accessibility.

On August 29, the “Xiangyang-Shiyan-Suizhou-Shennongjia Forestry District” Library Alliance hosted a book sharing event titled “Epigraphy and Paper Works Carrying Human Cultural Heritage,” along with the Second Book Sharing in the Thatched Cottage Activity at the Xiangyang Library. Featured works included Mi Fu’s calligraphy work, “The Reading Day of Three Halls,” “Rubbings of Imperial Congratulatory Inscriptions in the Fourth Year of the Jingtai Period of the Ming Dynasty” from the Yuxu Palace on Wudang Mountain, and “The Dark Legend,” an epic creation narrative of the Han ethnic group that has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The four libraries within the “Xiangyang-Shiyan-Suizhou-Shennongjia Forestry District” area showcased 28 treasured items, inviting cultural enthusiasts to engage in this enriching experience.

The intangible cultural heritage experience market established at the event site has garnered significant popularity. Ancient book restorers, particularly those born after 2000, showcased their remarkable ability to “transform decay into artistry.” By dipping a brush into paste and applying it to the edges of damaged book pages, they then covered these areas with a layer of handmade bamboo paper. Following this, they meticulously tore away the newly applied bamboo paper along the edges of the pages and used tweezers to remove any excess material, perfecting every detail in the process. The craftsmanship displayed by these ancient book restorers received widespread acclaim.

Film enthusiasts discovered the delight of “getting the best deal” at the Xiangyang Library. The audio-visual room, which is equipped with projection capabilities, air conditioning, and comfortable sofas, was initially unremarkable. However, Xiangyang Library has thoroughly explored the potential of this venue and transformed it into a “second cinema” that caters to its readers.

“Zhijin,” a netizen, revisited the classic film “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” at the Xiangyang Library. The owl with its profound gaze, the mysterious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry... As familiar images graced the screen, “Zhijin” was flooded with a multitude of thoughts: “I never anticipated that I would have the opportunity to relive my favorite movie from my student days in this library. This viewing experience is entirely distinct from registering as a member on a video streaming platform and watching films at home.”

In July and August, the Xiangyang Library curated a selection of classic films for avid movie enthusiasts. Featured titles included “The Founding of an Army,” “The Finest Hours,” “The Wild Robot,” “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” This initiative provided numerous readers with an opportunity to indulge in a captivating cinematic experience.

Enlarging the “Cloud Space” to Enrich its Contents

Diversified services have expanded from offline to online platforms. What opportunities does the “cloud space” created within the Xiangyang Library offer? Today, readers can not only read e-books and listen to audiobooks but also engage in exam preparation, access literary transfers, and consult with a free “cloud health advisor.”

During a recent physical examination, a doctor issued a health warning to netizen “Xiaopacai”: “Your body fat percentage is significantly above the standard; it’s time to lose weight!” In response, in addition to increasing physical activity, “Xiaopacai” began to consciously manage his diet by incorporating foods rich in dietary fiber. “Unexpectedly, the ‘Health Literacy’ feature within the WeChat mini program of the Xiangyang Library has become an invaluable resource on my diet journey,” “Xiaopacai” mentioned. By clicking on “Health Literacy” and “Eating Based on Needs”, users can discover which foods are abundant in high-quality protein, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, and other essential nutrients. Beyond dietary guidance, through the complimentary “cloud health advisor,” netizens can also calculate their body fat percentage, view educational videos on health topics, and engage in interactive food-related games…

Recently, the Xiangyang Library has introduced five digital resource platforms within the “cloud space.” These include Page Afar, blyun.com, VIP Public Learning Service Platform, Chinese Excellent Traditional Culture Encyclopedia Knowledge Base (CNKI), and Health Literacy. The platforms encompass a diverse range of fields such as e-books, academic literature, study preparation resources, traditional culture, and health preservation. As of now, these five newly launched digital resource platforms have collectively garnered 35,000 visits.