A mobile library was launched in the city of Yantai, Shandong province on May 31. It was the first of its kind in the area.

The mobile library was set up by Yantai Library and offers air-conditioning, WiFi, computers, TV, desks and chairs. It contains approximately 3,000 books and will make regular visits to communities, schools, senior centers, charity institutions and construction sites to help make reading more accessible to the public. Visitors to the mobile unit can read or borrow books by applying for a library card. The application requires a valid ID card or a copy of it, one one-inch color photo and a deposit of 100 yuan ($16.33).

The library card allows each holder to borrow up to 10 books, with a loan period of 30 days and a renewal period of another 30 days. Readers are required to pay 0.1 yuan for each overdue book per day. For seniors over 70 years old and those with disabilities, the loan period is 90 days.

"The mobile library is great news," said senior citizen Zhou Guangying. "The library is far from my home and going there for books used to be a trouble for me. Now the mobile library is really convenient and saves me a lot of time."