SCHOOLS in Nanshan District are exploring how to make use of their libraries to better meet residents’ reading needs. The district views making primary and secondary school libraries open to the public as a major way to enhance people’s well-being.

There are currently 103 libraries in public and private primary and secondary schools in Nanshan, including 89 in public schools and 14 in private schools, according to data from Nanshan District Education Bureau.

Sixty-nine public schools in Nanshan have made their libraries public during non-teaching hours, while the remaining schools are either undergoing renovation, expansion, or are preparing to open their libraries to the public.

According to Huang Xiangyue, secretary of the CPC Nanshan District Committee, Nanshan District vigorously promotes the opening of primary and secondary school libraries to society, with the main purpose of improving the efficiency of library resource utilization, promoting the sharing of reading resources, enhancing family-school interaction, and forming a learning community.

A retired senior citizen surnamed Yang said that this represents another innovation from Nanshan that is improving people’s well-being.

“As a retired person who loves reading, opening school libraries to the public gives me access to more types of books, especially those professional books that are not easily available on the market, and also provides me with a platform for exchanging ideas with young people,” Yang said.

Yang also enjoys the quiet environment that libraries offer. “It provides me with an ideal place to stay away from family chores and focus on reading.”

At present, the public can make an appointment with nearby school libraries through the WeChat account “南山文体通” (NSWTT), and can also inquire about the book collection of each school through the WeChat account.

To fully meet the reading needs of students, parents, and other community residents, the school libraries in Nanshan are open on weekends, holidays, and other non-teaching hours. (Zhang Yu)