The new building of Zhejiang Library, Zhijiang Branch is set to open to the public in a few months. Prior to that, Mr. Wang Shuifu, Vice-President of the Second Zhejiang Library Trustee and Chairman of XIZI UHC, donated a valuable olive tree to Zhijiang Library.
On May 31, a ceremony for the olive tree donation and soil cultivation took place at Zhejiang Library, Zhijiang Branch. Wang Shuifu, Vice-President of the Second Zhejiang Library Trustee and Chairman of XIZI UHC, Fan Xiaogang, Executive Vice President of XIZI UHC, Zhao Fangwen, General Manager of Xizi Commercial Services, Yu Miao, Deputy General Manager of Xizi Energy Conservation, Luo Yongxiang, Deputy Commander of the Construction Engineering Headquarters of Zhijiang Cultural Center, Hu Hairong, Deputy Director (presiding) of Zhejiang Library, and Cao Yuejin, Senior Chief Architect of Zhejiang Architectural Design and Research Institute and General Manager of EPC Project, collectively participated in the soil cultivation and watering of the olive tree. Xu Jie, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Zhejiang Library, and Zhu Yechen, Deputy Director of Zhejiang Library, were also present at the ceremony. Afterwards, Hu Hairong presented a donation certificate to Wang and they jointly unveiled the stele.
In the interview following the ceremony, Wang stated, “As the Vice-President of the Zhejiang Library Trustee, it is my responsibility to contribute to the preservation of our historical heritage and to transform Zhejiang Library into a public institution that serves the entire society and province”. This year marks a significant turning point for the Trustee, as we are in need of new members. Zhejiang Library seizes this opportunity to extend a heartfelt invitation to individuals who care about and support the development of public libraries, encouraging them to join the Trustee and actively participate in the library's operations and management.
The olive tree is not only a symbol of peace, but also represents victory and hope. This olive tree donated to Zhijiang Library originates from Spain and has a history of more than 1,200 years. The unique shape of the olive tree standing in the courtyard looks like an eagle spreading its wings, which means that Zhejiang Library will develop its ambitions at this new starting point in the future like an eagle. The stone tablet beside is engraved with the words "It takes ten years to grow trees but a hundred years to rear people. This thousand years old olive trees would witness the culture inheritance of the library". Having taken root in the 120-year-old Zhejiang Library, this thousand-year-old olive tree would inspire library staff to be responsible to their duties, be down-to-earth, never forget their original intention to practice the purpose of the library.
This donation reflects the possibilities of public libraries to creat parternship with social entities. As the decision-making and supervision body of Zhejiang Library, the Council not only manage and supervise the operation of the library, but also uses the expertise and resources from the members in their field to enhance the depth and influence of the library from different channels. In that case, the library has formed a new pattern of reader-centered, diversified co-governance and efficient operation, and provided diversified choices for the high-quality development of public cultural services in the new era. The council has also encouraged Zhejiang Library to promote the common prosperity of the people's spiritual life with high-quality public cultural services, and to enhanced the public's sense of acquisition, happiness and satisfaction with public culture.
