In recent years, North China's Shanxi province has been leading the charge to promote reading through robust policy guidance, enhanced public service systems, and the creation of a five-tier reading service network.

The province has increased policy support and funding to establish comprehensive public reading spaces across urban and rural areas, including libraries, bookstores, and reading rooms. For instance, the total collection of the Shanxi Library has grown from 22.97 million volumes to 26.58 million volumes over the past three years, with expenditures rising from 352.84 million yuan ($48.32 million) to 421.4 million yuan.

Shanxi Library holds a lantern riddle activity. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Digital reading spaces have also expanded significantly. In Taiyuan, the "Taitu Self-service Library" now offers 24-hour intelligent borrowing services. Innovative platforms such as the digital rural library in Changzhi and the digital resource platform in Jincheng have made it easier for residents in both urban and rural areas to access digital reading services.

Over the past three years, Shanxi has hosted more than 3,000 diverse reading promotion activities, including book exhibitions, lectures by renowned authors, and classic reading sessions, greatly enhancing the reading environment in the province. 

Shanxi has built a comprehensive public reading service network that covers both urban and rural areas. This network is anchored by over 120 libraries at various levels, connected by more than 3,200 physical bookstores, and supported by 18,800 rural reading rooms. It forms a three-dimensional service system that integrates provincial, city, county, township, and village levels and connects workers' libraries and community reading rooms.

Looking ahead, Shanxi will remain committed to optimizing its reading initiatives, aiming to ensure that reading remains a lasting part of the province’s cultural fabric.