By Wang Kaihao
Ex-Book, the Foshan book exchange project introducing household collections into public resources improves efficiency of the cultural service. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Foshan Library's book-sharing platform aims to encourage residents of the industrial city to read more, Wang Kaihao reports.
For Lu Weiqiang, a freelancer based in Foshan, Guangdong province, reading is an inseparable part of his everyday life. He visits Foshan Library regularly and buying books has become a fixed expense. He also has a concern. "My bookshelves can't hold anymore, but I still want to buy books."
As someone active in voluntary public service, Lu says he also thinks of other people who may face a similar confusion:"How can I have more space for books and share my collection at the same time?"
On World Book and Copyright Day in April last year, Lu logged on Ex-Book, an online program launched by Foshan Library, and found a good solution. Since then, he has uploaded 260 books, about half of his collection, to the platform for strangers to borrow. From illustration books for children to guides on financial management, his books have been borrowed for over 500 times.
"You feel happier when more people can enjoy your beloved books," Lu says. "You find many people sharing what you like on the platform and that leaves more space at home to bring new books."
Ex-Book, the Foshan book exchange project introducing household collections into public resources improves efficiency of the cultural service. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Ex-Book was launched last year to help residents of Foshan city share books as a public resource. It is one of the first such book-sharing platforms for family collections on the Chinese mainland.
"In this program, books are our 'ex', with whom we no longer live together," Huang Baichuan, director of Foshan Library, says. "But it also means 'to exchange'. People can communicate better with each other through the book exchanges."
Book owners can set dues for each lent copy. Some are required to be returned within 60 days. Some books keep moving from one borrower to another until the owners recall them. And if the owners like, books can also be permanently transferred to strangers for free.
Huang says the project can make up for the insufficient collections in public libraries in Foshan.
In the industrial hub, with more than 7 million residents, per capita collection of public libraries is merely 1.5 copies. Nonetheless, according to Foshan Library, in 2021, family collections in the city had 115 books averagely per household.
"Family collections can be used better as public resources to encourage more people in the city to read, so this project is important," Huang says.
Chen Yan, director of the management department at Foshan Library, says over 1,000 people uploaded more than 10,000 books on Ex-Book in 2021. It is estimated that over 30,000 books will be uploaded by the end of this year, she says, adding that the platform can save time and cost as compared to "traditional logistics through public libraries".
Chen says,"We also set lists of recommended books, according to recent buzzwords, and it can help users (of the platform) upload related books and have their books more easily borrowed."
Once a borrowing agreement is reached, users can choose whether to send the books through express delivery or bring themselves. Many owners prefer the latter.
"I met people who have read an amazing number of books," Lu says. "I gained knowledge and new thoughts of life from them. When returning my books, some people also give me snacks or gifts to show their gratitude."
Ex-Book, the Foshan book exchange project introducing household collections into public resources improves efficiency of the cultural service. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Through Ex-Book, Lu meets various kinds of readers such as officer workers, security guards and devoted mothers. This helps him realize the warmth of strangers in real life, which is often neglected in the digital era. "A book of mine was torn when I first got it, but after it was borrowed by a reader and returned, it was fixed."
Since September, Wu Xiaozhu, who is a children's reading tutor, has borrowed 250 books from the platform, and uploaded over 700 books. Wu's child also helps her pack the books to be delivered once there is a borrowing order.
"Seeing me check and pack books, my child will take reading more seriously," she says. "We discuss the contents before we mail them to others. It's also a comfort for a mother."
Huang, the library director, says the platform helps a cultural system grow spontaneously.
"Speaking of public cultural service, the public should be the main participant and major beneficiary."
Offline fairs to exchange books have also been organized by the library since last year.
Foshan resident Lu Weiqiang shares books as a public resource. [Photo provided to China Daily]
|
