Gift of youth endures after 90 years

"Readers can download many of the books simply by scanning a barcode in the library," Cun says.

In recent years the library has established eight branches in the surrounding villages to satisfy local farmers' and migrant workers' reading needs. Most of the branches are equipped with computers that allow readers to search and download material on the internet.

One of the branches is in the village of Dazhuang. It opened in 2008 with the personal donation of a local retired official and has expanded gradually over the years.

It now has more than 18,000 books, with 24 kinds of magazines and 15 kinds of newspapers, and most of the readers are local primary school students and villagers, says Cun Limei, who has managed the branch for four years.

The collection includes classics, best-sellers and cartoons for children, as well as cooking and health related books.

Heshun Library offers branch staff training in library management throughout the year as well as funding of 10,000 yuan ($1,480), in addition to replenishing it with new books, Cun Limei says.

The library, which also has a reading room, has turned into a great gathering place for both the elderly and the young, she says.