New path to reading explored in Shandong's Liaocheng city

Words are flying about these days in the Xinghua Road sub-district of Linqing – a county-level city administered by the prefecture-level city of Liaocheng, located in East China's Shandong province.

That's because it's recently been exploring an innovative path to reading that connects the school, the family and the local library.

As a primary example there, Danqing primary school aims to motivate a family's reading and then the reading of its neighbors – expanding the circle of public reading.

It all began in 2018 when Linqing kicked off a pilot reading space program called home libraries.

By choosing families with a high literacy rate whose children attended the local primary school – and utilizing their homes as springboard libraries – reading, borrowing, communications and other services are conducted.

Students peruse books at a home library, helping students out who attend Danqing primary school. [Photo by Han Xin for chinadaily.com.cn]

Previously, local intangible cultural heritage shows were performed in home libraries in Shangdian town of Linqing – evoking the charms of traditional culture.

At present, there are 330 home libraries in Linqing, with a total collection of 180,000 books and the opening times per day span two hours on average.

This model will be introduced in 16 towns or sub-districts in the city and the pilot will be adapted elsewhere, said Linqing official Du Dongping. (Edited by Chen Chuxuan)

A raft of activities now takes place in the home libraries. [Photo by Han Xin for chinadaily.com.cn]