Library drawing crowds with its unique events

SHENZHEN — For Huang Yifei, her daily visit to a local library in the Pingshan district of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, serves as a welcome respite from her busy work schedule.

The Pingshan Library, an hour's drive from the city center, provides a unique experience that makes it stand out from traditional libraries.

Visitors can listen to vinyl records in an innovative music hall, featuring a wall covered with hundreds of records to choose from. They sit by the wall, put on headphones and immerse themselves in melodies that slowly wash away the day's stress.

"Surrounded by lush greenery, it's a perfect escape," said Huang, a 28-year-old product manager at a medical equipment manufacturing company.

This is a lesser-known part of Pingshan, one of the newest administrative districts that evolved from an industrial park in Shenzhen, a vibrant sci-tech and advanced manufacturing hub in Guangdong.

Pingshan is home to global leaders such as electric vehicle maker BYD and smart device provider Honor. However, the district has also gained recognition on social media platforms as a "must-visit" destination, thanks to its novel cultural offerings.

The library regularly hosts engaging events such as a recent civil law lecture by an esteemed scholar, which drew about 300 attendees. The event was part of a five-year tradition where visitors interact with prominent figures from diverse fields three to four times every month.

Lu Qimei, deputy head of the Pingshan Library, attributes the advanced cultural offerings to the district's reformed management system for public cultural facilities.

Unlike traditional government-run models, the new approach employs industry professionals to manage the operations.

Renowned literary scholar Zhou Guoping and architect Liu Xiaodu serve as directors of the district's library and art gallery, respectively, while experts from publishing, art, and other industries sit on the board of trustees. "These experts bring fresh ideas and special insights that greatly enhance the library's operational capabilities," Lu said.

The cultural services reform in Pingshan extends beyond the library. The district has integrated diverse resources to enrich its cultural industry landscape.

For instance, the government and a Beijing-based theater studio owner are collaborating to transform an old village into a hub for theatrical creation and artistic performances. Additionally, Maluanshan Mountain, which is also located in Pingshan, has been redesigned to serve as an open-air natural museum, with digital introductions about its rich botanical and zoological resources available along its 15 hiking routes.

Pingshan has tailored its approach to ensure that all residents have access to quality cultural resources.

"We deliver government-funded public cultural and sports services to factories, industrial parks, schools and communities," said Chen Lanlan, who oversees the district's culture bureau.

As China strives for comprehensive reform with culture as a key focus, Pingshan pledges to continue enhancing public cultural services, artistic creation, talent attraction and cultural tourism development.

"Our goal is to serve up an even richer cultural feast for our residents," Chen said.

Xinhua