Beijingers unwind in 'hush hour' as community libraries spread

Books that bind

About 30 kilometers north of Fangzhuang is Changping district, which is home to Huilongguan, one of Asia's largest residential communities that houses approximately 300,000 people.

The crowded neighborhood, well-known for its affordable housing, has long struggled with a lack of high-quality facilities. To address this, since 2018 the Beijing municipal government has invested heavily in the area to try and keep the community lively and diversified. This included 827 million yuan to build the Huilongguan Sports and Culture Park, which includes a community library that spans 6,300 sq m.

The library's curator, Cui Yaona, said it aims to serve residents by offering a wide range of books for people of all ages and a welcoming space for them to spend their free time.

"The library fosters a true bond with the community," Cui said. "Books connect us. Seeing the concentration, curiosity and peacefulness on people's faces sparked by words they've read is to know that the library is a powerful force for making a connection."

The Huilongguan community library, which has 55,000 books, also has a volunteer librarian program for local residents.

Sun Yi is one of the volunteers. A Beijing native who lived for 30 years near Wangfujing Street, which has some of the city's biggest bookstores, Sun and her parents relocated to Huilongguan in the 2000s.

"I've always loved reading," said the 52-year-old. "During my childhood and teenage years, I often went to the Xinhua bookstore in Wangfujing. So when I heard about the need for volunteers at the community library, I didn't hesitate to sign up.

"Being able to immerse myself in an ocean of books has given me a sense of self-satisfaction and spiritual value," said Sun, who recently retired from her accounting job.

"It's a joy to be part of the volunteer team, especially seeing young people in Beijing actively improve themselves during their spare time. When I help readers find a book they want and they say a word of thanks, I feel rewarded."

According to Cui, about 100 volunteers work at the library, and a large number of college students contribute their time during the winter and summer holidays.

"I hope our library becomes a place that you don't need a reason or invitation to visit," Cui said. "There's no need to reserve a spot or buy a coffee. You can simply drop in to read a book, find a quiet place to study or work, or explore anything from computer coding to romance novels."