Liu Minxia

mllmx@163.com

THE Shenzhen Library’s north branch, which became fully operational Dec. 28, 2023, has captured the hearts of the city’s residents with its contemporary design, technology-driven services, extensive collection, and diverse events.

As of Thursday, the state-of-the-art cultural hub, situated in the Shenzhen North Railway Station central business district in Longhua District, had attracted a total of 2,003,321 visitors, averaging over 10,000 visits per day. On July 14, the library recorded a peak of 23,200 visitors.

Covering a total construction area of 72,000 square meters, the library is one of 10 new cultural landmarks that Shenzhen decided to build in 2008. Designed as an inclusive and intelligent public library, it serves as the literary archive, document collection and editing center, network data center, and literature distribution hub of Shenzhen — a “City of Libraries.”

With innovative technology integrated into nearly all facets of its operations, the library offers 2,500 reading seats and boasts a collection of 5 million books. Since opening, the library has recorded a total of 1.82 million book loans, including renewals.

A standout feature is a three-floor underground repository, equipped with an automated and intelligent book sorting system, which has facilitated approximately 2.7 million book retrievals. The automated repository has enhanced the allocation and utilization of library resources while providing citizens with a more convenient and intelligent reading experience.

The library has organized 389 events that have garnered considerable interest.

The library, which is continuously improving services and amenities, introduced a reader discussion room April 1. An ideal space for the exchange of ideas and learning, it has received 4,340 users.

The HIFI room, equipped with speakers from Avantgarde Acoustic, provides a premium environment for music appreciation. A cinema hall hosts lectures and movie screenings for the general public.

Throughout the summer vacation, the library is rolling out a diverse range of events, including training courses, poetry recitals, reading sessions, art lessons, and book exhibitions. A unique program starting Saturday will allow children under 12 to tour the library and explore the underground intelligent book repository. Those who are interested in the program can make reservations through the Shenzhen Library’s official WeChat account, “szlibrary.”