A volunteer in Yuelai town, Haimen district, Nantong teaches residents how to utilize digital reading apps on World Book Day on April 23. [Photo/xuexi.cn]

Yuelai town in Haimen district, Nantong, Jiangsu province launched a mobile reading room on World Book Day on April 23 in an effort to encourage reading among residents.

Authorities have taken a series of measures to promote reading, including organizing volunteers to provide hands-on guidance for utilizing digital reading apps and tailored instructions for individuals with visual impairments on using audiobooks.

The mobile reading room also initiated a "book drifting" activity, encouraging residents to contribute a personally impactful book and share their reflections as notes within its pages. These books are then placed inside the reading room and exchanged among one another as a form of communication and to foster understanding.

In addition, the local government conducted an activity in the reading room to promote to students the intangible cultural heritage Haimen Mountain Song, aiming to preserve the traditional cultural legacy.

The initiatives have made reading more convenient, enjoyable, and meaningful. Authorities will continue to introduce more reading activities to integrate reading as a part of residents' daily lives, noted a local official.