In 2023, in order to establish new public cultural spaces and foster a profound integration of culture and tourism, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism selected 28 "the most beautiful public cultural spaces" across five distinct categories: best integration, best demonstration, best operation, best experience and best design.
Among all these 28 places, 4 of them are public libraries, namely Nanxun Library in Huzhou City, Lishui Library, Jingning She Autonomous County Library Dajun Branch and Quzhou Library (New Library).
Nanxun Library is located in China's "Town of Book collections", near Nanxun Ancient Town and within a future community. The library collaborates with third-party agencies to offer library circulation services and organize reading promotion activities.
Lishui Library boasts a vast construction area spanning 34,500 square meters, housing an extensive collection exceeding 1.2 million items, and accommodating 1,380 seating arrangements.
Within the premises, visitors can explore a variety of specialized areas, including a dedicated space for reading newspapers and periodicals, a lending section designed for children, an area dedicated to picture book enthusiasts, an interactive space tailored for children's experiences, a fully equipped lecture hall, an engaging cultural tourism photo wall, a quiet self-study zone, a welcoming reader's salon, a research room, a music appreciation area, an audio-visual room, a recording studio, and a specialized reading room catering to the visually impaired, among other functional spaces.
Built in 2020, the Dajun Branch of Jingning She Autonomous County Library serves as a cultural embodiment of the She people. The decoration of the building absorbs the characteristics of local residences. From shelves to desks, every detail is decorated with ribbons made by the She people. The ceiling lamp is made of bamboo strips. The She handicrafts are displayed in the cultural and creative center of the library, while walls, roofs, tables and chairs, windows all reflect the distinctive characteristics of local culture.
Besides , this library serves also as a haven of nature. The wooden structure, the green plants and the decorative stones enveloping the library create a tranquil space for readers to relax and to enjoy reading as well.
The new Quzhou Library was built in a modern style with the concept of facing the future and embracing the technology. This library integrates nature and aesthetics into the building, offering visitors a sense of comfort and simplicity. Catering to the diverse needs of its patrons, the library provides a range of targeted services to enhance the overall experience for readers.
