The entrance of the Haoxi Shuyuan city reading space in the Haohe River scenic area in Nantong. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The Haoxi Shuyuan city reading space, the first library at a scenic area in Nantong, recently started trial operations on the northern bank of the Haohe River, a 1,000-year-old moat that circles the city.

Spanning about 1,200 square meters, the library consists of three areas and is equipped with a coffee bar and self-services machines for borrowing and returning books. Its French windows allow readers to enjoy the stunning scenery of the river when sitting inside.

A total of 13,000 blue and white stick-shape lights on the ceiling symbolize the ocean of books and stars that illuminate readers' minds, according to Song Yajun, curator of the library.

"The curvilinear book shelves evoke the waves in the Haohe River, and such design enlarges the space for more books," said Song.

The library is expected to offer more than 7,000 books mainly in literature, history, geography, and biography.

"New books will be introduced every two weeks, while creative cultural products featuring Nantong characteristics will also be on display," Song added. He said that these elements are meant to attract more young people to read paper books in this era of digital reading.

During the trial operation, only the central area is open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm. 

People are required to put on masks and present their health QR codes before entering. They can borrow books with reader's cards, ID cards or digital reading cards. 

The library also cooperates with the Nantong Library, allowing residents to borrow books at one place and return them at the other.

"It is more convenient for me to visit the new library than the city's library. I will be a frequent visitor here," said a local resident Chen Yajie, who often visited the city's library.

The library is expected to officially start operations in May and will hold regular reading and other cultural activities to enrich the lives of local residents.