Shenzhen Library offers diverse summer holiday activities

The Shenzhen Library is set to enrich the summer break for young residents in the city with an array of more than 260 events, including reading sessions, recitals, makers’ workshops, craft classes, vocal training, and art lessons.

These event are all crafted to provide an engaging environment for young readers to have a fulfilling and purposeful summer vacation.

Visually impaired children are on a nature exploration trip organized by Shenzhen Library. Photos courtesy of the library

The annual summer holiday program, initiated by the Shenzhen Library in 2015, extends throughout July and August. By holding these events, the library hopes to fulfil its role as a philanthropic platform for youth to learn, develop, and relish enjoyable experiences, it said Tuesday.

The program, featuring its diverse reading and educational initiatives, aims to elevate the holiday experiences of young readers, broaden their interests, ignite a passion for reading, enhance literacy skills, and advocate for quality education, as attested by previous participants.

Children attend a training session at Shenzhen Library.

A highlight of this year's activities is a series of training courses running from July 9 until Aug. 23. Led by esteemed instructors, these courses are provided free of charge and will be held concurrently at the main hall and the children's service area at the Shenzhen Library's north venue every Tuesday through Friday.

Additionaly, the library has introduced innovative cultural projects, such as a letter-writing competition for high school graduates. Participants are prompted to craft a letter to their future selves reflecting on their aspirations and responsibilities for the upcoming decade. The aim is to inspire long-term planning and goal-setting.

Other notable events include a five-day makers' workshop, an evening school program tailored to young adults, and field trips for teenagers to places such as the Southern University of Science and Technology and the Red Cube Museum in Longgang District. A specialized summer camp has been arranged for visually impaired children, providing instruction in Braille, orientation and mobility skills, computer literacy, nature exploration, and visits to the Science Museum and the Shenzhen Library's north venue.

Teenagers are seen on an educational trip organized by Shenzhen Library.

The library is also hosting three lectures on classic literature, guiding young attendees through the exploration of Guangdong's history via poetry, cultivating an appreciation for "Dream of the Red Chamber," and imparting an understanding of traditional culture through the ancient art of archery — a pivotal discipline historically practiced by esteemed gentlemen.

Interested individuals can access event details and register through the library's official WeChat account (szlibrary).