Children's libraries go citywide in Ningbo

Ningbo in Zhejiang province, has become the first city in China to fully cover both municipal and county-level children's libraries, with all 10 districts, counties and county-level cities completing their libraries by the end of 2024.

In 2024, Ningbo launched its children's library initiative to better serve young readers. The Ningbo Children's Library, which opened last July, focuses on child-friendly and graded reading services, offering diverse resources such as public books, reference rooms, reading guidance, and reading promotions. Since its opening, it has welcomed over 500,000 visitors and hosted 267 events.

To ensure accessibility and inclusivity, Ningbo's 10 districts, counties and county-level cities have developed children's libraries through renovations, expansions, and new constructions. Haishu and Jiangbei transformed existing libraries into children's spaces, while Beilun and Yuyao expanded their libraries. Other areas, such as Yinzhou, Fenghua, Cixi, and Xiangshan, revamped existing facilities like Xinhua bookstores, and Zhenhai and Ninghai utilized local cultural centers to build new libraries.

Each of these new libraries has been designed with young readers in mind, featuring age-appropriate reading systems, educational toys, and play areas. The Yinzhou Children's Library offers zones for discovery, reading relaxation, and interactive play. In addition, libraries throughout the city incorporate local culture into their designs, with spaces like the Youzhi Art Corridor and Dafeng Theater in Beilun, inspired by local cultural figures.

The libraries also focus on creating a smart, immersive reading experience, with techy spaces like AI-assisted reading zones and VR reading rooms. The Jiangbei Children’s Library has introduced interactive reading spaces like the intelligent companion reading room and VR space capsules.

In 2025, Ningbo's children's libraries will host over 2,000 reading promotion activities to engage more young readers, further enriching the cultural lives of children across the city.

The Ningbo Children's Library opens in July, 2024. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]