Community Libraries Turn the Page

China has more digital reading users than ever before. According to the 2025 China Digital Reading Report, China's digital reading user base reached 689 million by the end of 2025, while the total number of digital reading works exceeded 70 million. As digital reading continues to grow rapidly, attracting readers back to physical library spaces remains a challenge.

Xiaohong Li, a mother of two in Beijing, rarely takes her children to the library these days. "We have plenty of books at home, and with so many resources available online, reading online is more convenient," she said.

This shift in reading habits is taking place across China, prompting community libraries to explore new ways of using technology to encourage readers to return.

The Capital Library of China launched its "Reading Garden" project, which combines digital tracking with in-person reading activities for children. The project won second place in the 2025 IFLA PressReader International Marketing Award.

As Chinese libraries gain recognition on the international stage, community libraries are also redefining their role, shifting their focus from collections to community engagement in an effort to attract readers back. "A library has two core functions: building collections and providing services," said Xing Zhao, a researcher at Beijing Normal University Library. "In an age when people can easily access digital copies, our value increasingly lies in the services we provide."

By hosting workshops and lectures and offering opportunities to explore emerging technologies, libraries are creating vibrant public spaces for social interaction. In September, the Xicheng District Children's Library in Beijing launched a science outreach program featuring a science-themed book fair, hands-on activities such as 3D printing and compressed-air rockets, and book-swapping events.

"What makes community libraries irreplaceable is their ability to organize more activities that encourage children to visit and take part in reading and sharing," Li said. "Activities centered on reading are far more meaningful for children than reading alone at home."

Beyond supporting individual reading, libraries also serve a broader social purpose. "As cultural spaces, physical community libraries will not disappear. Instead, they will continue to expand and offer richer experiences," said Shuning Li, a researcher at Beijing Normal University Library. "The cultural atmosphere they create is something digital reading cannot replace."

In the digital age, China's community libraries are demonstrating that their value lies not simply in what they house, but in the people they bring together.

(By Huiting Xiao, Beijing No. 4 High School International Campus)