Shanghai Book Fair becomes a magnet for readers

A campaign that allows the Shanghai Library to purchase books that were selected and borrowed by the readers has become one of the highlights of the 2024 Shanghai Book Fair, the largest book fair in the city that opened at the Shanghai Exhibition Center on Wednesday.

The campaign was initiated in 2015 and this year is its 10th anniversary.

"We have purchased 2,500 books, including those in English, French, and Japanese, for our readers to select," said Zheng Jiaying, a staff worker of the library.

"Attending the city's popular exhibitions, such as Gabrielle Chanel, Fashion Manifesto at the Power Station of Art and On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt, we also take our book collections to the readers." 

For the readers, the book fair is a must-see during the summer time in Shanghai.

"I was in middle school when I first came to the book fair, now I've been a book fair visitor for over a decade. I think the Shanghai Book Fair is like a local cultural festival during summer vacation," said a reader and visitor Tang Shunjun.

"Every time I come here, I'm filled with anticipation for reading, life, and the summertime in Shanghai."