On chinadaily.com.cn

Society: Floating library keeps boats alive

Three boats are linked by rope to a dock in Sanya, Hainan province. Not an unusual sight but what really astounds is that the boats are not carrying cargo or fish but books. The disused boats, with more than 3,000 books, form a floating library, the first public library in West Maozhou Island in 400 years. The library was founded in August, and is free to the 4,000 local residents and tourists. Under the support of the local government, cabins have been renovated into reading rooms. The floating library has transformed the life of local residents too. At noon or after students finish school, they rush to the boats to read.

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