An urban library in Wenzhou provides a suitable environment for reading. [Photo/66wz.com]

Wenzhou's effort to open convenient reading locations and libraries around the city was recognized among the first 60 best practice projects for Zhejiang province's high-quality development and transformation into a common prosperity demonstration zone on May 28.

In April 2014, Wenzhou built its first municipal library branch - the Xianqian Branch of Wenzhou Library – providing 24-hour autonomous library services to locals for free.

The local government of Wenzhou has been building such reading spots around the city for five consecutive years. A series of measures to manage, support and assess those urban libraries has also been released.

In September 2021, the industrial standard Service Specifications for Service Places Outside Public Libraries made under the lead of Wenzhou Library was officially approved by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to be promoted around the country.

As of December 2021, Wenzhou had built 112 urban libraries with a total collection of more than 1.2 million volumes of books. Over 14 million readers have borrowed over 12.8 million books at these libraries.

Many locals spoke highly of the libraries, which not only provide convenient and high-quality services for lovers of books, but have also become a kind of cultural icon of the city.

People spend their leisure time at an urban library in Wenzhou. [Photo/66wz.com]