Stephy Wang

    IT’s very important for a city like Shenzhen to make culture a crucial part of its economic development because culture is essential to social development, an international literacy advocate said Thursday.

    Jennefer Nicholson, secretary general of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), stressed that point when meeting Thursday with Wang Jingsheng, head of Shenzhen Municipal CPC Committee’s publicity department.

    After hearing about the city’s development in library construction and cultural industries, Nicholson said she was very much looking forward to visiting local libraries.

    “I hope to see what the world can learn from Shenzhen and its library system and how its libraries bring benefits to all residents.”

    She also invited Shenzhen to attend an IFLA congress in Singapore next year to display its development and achievements in library construction, and let the world learn more about Shenzhen’s library system and reading activity promotions.

    With 643 public libraries and 160 self-service lending machines scattered around the city, there is one public library for every 15,000 people in Shenzhen.

    Nicholson is invited to attend the 8th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, which opens Friday.

    During her four-day trip, she’ll visit the fair, major libraries and Shenzhen Book City’s CBD store, while providing guidance on the future development of library systems.

    IFLA is the main international association of library organizations, acting as a global voice for library and information professions.