Libraries now offer students far more than books

Range of improvements prove beneficial for studies

Libraries in China have transitioned from their traditional role of book repositories to offer users — especially young people — space for quiet introspection and self-improvement.

In recent years, numerous refinements have been made to libraries nationwide, and they now boast well-equipped facilities and rich collections of books.

A study of 2,100 young respondents conducted last year by China Youth Daily's Social Survey Center in partnership with the survey platform Wenjuan.com found that 92.5 percent of participants expressed a strong desire for learning. Nearly 63 percent of the respondents said they favor doing their studies in a library.

At the start of this year, the Guangdong University of Finance and Economics' library in Guangzhou became a popular choice due to its "daydreaming zones".

These six zones, which are next to the study and reading areas, boast outdoor leisure tables and chairs, as well as numerous plants.

The zones are chosen by many students for studying, preparations for exams, and relaxation. Their main purpose is to provide students with a place to relax and to stimulate inspiration after they finish studying for the day.

Shi Yunxuan, 33, who has worked at Longgang District Library in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, for two years, said: "Libraries are now more comfortable and the new reading areas offer more seats. Due to this conducive learning atmosphere, users believe that studying in the library is a more efficient way to learn."

In addition, library users are now better motivated to pursue their study or career plans, Shi said.

"The library, a sanctuary of knowledge, welcomes all visitors without prejudice. It is a haven where people, irrespective of their social standing, are free to seek respite from busy city life. In a bustling city, the library emerges as a transformative space, offering a platform for personal growth and the pursuit of higher aspirations," she added.

Shi noticed during her daily work that the library now attracts a diverse range of young people seeking a beneficial study environment.

It accommodates adults preparing for certification exams, government job examinations, and postgraduate entrance tests, as well as students who visit to complete assignments and revise.

The former group typically spends an entire day at the library, breaking only for lunch in the dining area, before resuming studies. The latter group usually stays for one to two hours after school to complete homework, browse the shelves to select books, before returning home in time for dinner.