Newman Huo

    THE first of its kind in Shenzhen, the City of Design Library was inaugurated at the “City of Design” Creative Design Industrial Estate in Tianmian, Futian District, during the seventh China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF).

    Supported by the Futian District Bureau of Culture and Futian Library, the new library has a collection of more than 20,000 Chinese and foreign books, newspapers, magazines or periodicals in the field of creative design industries.

    The library plans to buy more books and electronic reading equipment in its second phase to become a design art branch of Futian Library.

    The “City of Design” Creative Industrial Estate, developed and operated by Shenzhen Sphinx Cultural Industry Investment Co. Ltd., has attracted 177 creative design companies from home and abroad since it was opened on May 16, 2007.

    From a fishing village three decades ago to one of the Cities of Design designated by UNESCO in November 2008, the first in China, Shenzhen has lifted its cultural industry to the status of fourth pillar industry after hi-technology, finance and logistics.

    To date, 639 public libraries have been erected and it is planned to increase the number to 1,100 by 2015, which would mean one library for every 10,000 residents.

    The city’s key public libraries include the Shenzhen Library, University Town Library of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Science and Technology Library, Shenzhen Children’s Library, and Migrant Workers’ Library.