SHENZHEN Library’s north division and Shenzhen Art Museum’s new site, with a public square in between, have started their trial operations. The two new cultural landmarks are located near the Hongshan Metro Station in Longhua District.

The library currently has only opened its 3,500-square–meter first floor to readers; the services include borrowing and returning books, a digital twin lab and book donation.

The library ultimately will house an extensive collection of 8 million books and feature a three-floor-deep underground storage area with an automatic and intelligent book sorting system.

Once a reader submits a book request, the books will be retrieved by an automated carriage, which can travel from the underground floors to the top fifth floor for immediate pickup by the reader.

The new art museum includes an exhibition area of 20,000 square meters, with an artwork storage room of nearly 6,000 square meters, 18 exhibition halls and an outdoor area for exhibiting sculptures.

The art museum is displaying paintings, video art and photographic works selected from its collection. (Cao Zhen)