YUTIAN Community Library, the city’s first 24-hour residential community library, in Nanyuan Subdistrict in Futian District opened Thursday, Shenzhen Evening News reported.

The library, which aims to become a new cultural hub in the city and a model community library, is located at the intersection of Shangbu Road and Dongyuan Road, near the Science Museum Station on Metro Line 1 and upcoming Line 6.

It has an adult reading zone, children’s reading zone, e-reading zone, activity zone, exhibition zone and baby care room. Workers and self-circulation service are available 24 hours.

Liu Tao, the curator of Futian Library, said that a modern library is no longer just a space to place books. Instead, it must provide books and organize activities based on its visitors.

Liu said that he thus applied the people-oriented concept in designing the library.

The Yutian Community Library has two functions: connecting residents within the community and sharing cultures with readers living outside the community.

The library will organize activities including “curator of the day” to invite citizens to participate in the library’s daily management, book sharing activities and picture book house event.

Libraries in Nanyuan Subdistrict saw 77,216 visitors last year and held 92 activities with a total of 23,926 participants.

Liu hopes that each reader can find their favorite reading category in the library. 

In another development, a public library at the Maxland shopping mall in Bao’an District opened Wednesday, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

It covers an area of 280 square meters with more than 6,000 books and over 50 reading seats. (Wang Jingli)