City of Libraries

In Shenzhen, a "City of Libraries," residents spend over an hour a day reading printed books on average, amounting to 8.86 printed books and 12.13 e-books read each year per person, according to the official data released in 2020. It is hard to imagine that in a city where land is so expensive, libraries can be found almost everywhere. Shenzhen is the only city to date that has been awarded the Global Model for Promoting Reading title by UNESCO.

(1) Centralized e-resources management

In an environment of networked digital information, all libraries across the city adopt a shared management system, allowing them to share a single database for purchasing resources, cataloging books, and managing customers. Readers can also benefit from the one-stop service provided by this system, which enables them to borrow and return books at any of the libraries in the city. 

(2) Shenzhen Library 

Built in 2006 and located on the central axis of the city, Shenzhen Library houses over 10 million books, with a number of sub-libraries and over 200 24-hour self-service libraries citywide. The 50,000-sq-m, six-story library receives around 4.5 million in-person visits and lends out 5 million books on average each year. It has created a diversified service platform consisting of a website, WeChat account, Weibomicroblog account, and telephone voice system. Its official microblog has ranked among the top 10 of its kinds in China for many consecutive years. 

In 2023, the North Sub-library of Shenzhen Library is slated to open in Longhua District. Occupying 72,000 square meters, it will house a collection of 8 million books.

(3) 24-hour Book Bar

Among seven supersized book vendors, each spanning over 10,000 square meters, and more than 700 regular-sized brick-and-mortar bookstores across the city, the 24-hour book bar in Shenzhen Book City CBD Store is the most popular. Since its launch in 2006, the book bar has stayed open for a total of 140,000 hours, or 16 years’ running, with free study rooms, WiFi, and various cafes and eateries providing nourishment for body and soul alike. 

(4) Libraries with unique designs

Shenzhen is home to 744 public libraries, including nine national first-class ones, and 306 self-service libraries, earning it the nickname of “city with 1,000 libraries.” Together, they house a collection of 57.45 million books. The standout features of these libraries lie in the unique designs of their reading spaces, all created by local designers. There are also book bars in a number of city parks.

Island Library

Located on Hexian Island in Honghu Park, Hemeikongjian Library offers a unique experience for readers, as it lies surrounded by a lotus pond of more than 20,000 square meters. The library also has an impressive collection of over 20,000 books. 

Zhongying Street Library

Located on Zhongying Street, a site of historical interest, and resembling a castle in appearance, the library traces the street’s development over the past century. 

Lighthouse Library

Tucked away in the corner of acoastalboardwalk in Yantian District, the three-story Lighthouse Library is closer to the seathan any of its competitors in Shenzhen. 

The Lighthouse Library has become a cultural landmark in Yantian.

Zhongshuge Bookstore

Situated in OCT OH Bay of Qianhai, Zhongshuge is dubbed Shenzhen’s most beautiful library. It is best known for its spiral red bookshelf that winds through various reading rooms, activity spaces, and children’s rooms. The colorful reading area for children features a reading desk resembling a train.