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Why My Local Chinese Library is an Oasis in the Desert
Written by Robert Vance on June 22, 2008 – 12:12 pmChinese people love to read; there is no doubt about that. Whether I am walking by a bin of books at Walmart, or passing through a bookstore to get to the other end of our local mall, I can always observe dozens of Chinese people eagerly perusing through novels, ‘how-to’ books, and stories of Chinese history. The enthusiasm with which Chinese people seem to ‘devour’ books leads me to think that because of their busy lives, they are often starved for information. Even though the wall of isolation has slowly crumbled in China during the past 30 years, there is still an insatiable thirst by Chinese people for knowledge of the outside world. Books, not state-owned Chinese television, are the best away to obtain this knowledge that is so yearned for here.
With this in mind, I guess I should not have been so amazed by what I discovered today when I visited our local library for the first time. Instead of the relatively small and cramped two story library that I was used to going to in America, I encountered a five story state of the art building that resembled a sports stadium rather than a city library. I somehow entered the library through the North gate. That’s right. There were four gates; one in each direction. Bored looking security guards stood close to each gate to make sure that people were not stealing any books
I did not see any books on the first floor of this massive library. There was just wide open space filled with people sitting in chairs reading books. Naturally, I was a little confused. Where were all the books coming from? What was I missing? And then I looked up. All around and above me, people were flowing up and down staircases like small and quiet rivers. In every direction and on every floor, I could see rooms and rooms filled with books and readers. Soon, I joined a steady stream of people who were traveling up and within two minutes, I found myself on the third floor of the library wondering where to go next; people were going in all different directions. After a minute, I jfollowed a crowd of people through an open door and into an air-conditioned room full of books. As soon as I stepped into the ‘reading room’ I felt that something was not right. Something was strange. What was wrong? And then it hit me. There were at least 200 Chinese people sitting on chairs and stools, some in front of tables and others close to the walls, and it was quiet. Dead quiet. No one stared at me; no one seemed to care I was there. There were no cell phones ringing; no phones or mp3 players were blaring music. People seemed to be motioning to each other instead of using their voices. In a country that is constantly full of noise and chaos, I was amazed to observe such a peaceful scene; it was like an beautiful oasis in the midst of a harsh desert.
I quietly asked a library worker where I could find some English books. He directed me to a shelf nearby. I was very pleasantly surprised by what I found. There were all sorts of English books available. From bestselling novels like Angels and Demons to books about China’s long and rich history, there was plenty to choose from. When I sat down at a table with a pile of books in hand, no one even looked up. For once, I felt like I was actually part of the Chinese culture; like I was a normal human being. It was a comfortable and relaxed feeling.
When I left the library an hour later to go play badminton with friends, I knew that I would be returning as soon as I could. Later, one of my friends informed me that I could buy a library card for 100 RMB and check out books whenever I wanted. Or, she said, I could borrow her card and pay nothing. Maybe I will buy a card or perhaps I will take my friend up on her offer but for now, I look forward to going back and spending more time reading at the library. It will be a welcome change from the loud and fast paced world that surrounds this wonderful environment.
How about you? What are the libraries like in your ‘neck of the woods?’ Leave me a comment and let us know. Am I just lucky or is this how it is in the rest of China?
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The library in Shanghai was beautiful, similar aspect of design, although I know a few of the Chinese came in because it was heavily air conditioned on hot days.
As a son of a librarian, I avoided libraries just cause I would want to avoid where my mom worked, and I could just ask my mom to get the books for me rather than having to go there and find it myself.
In any case, the libraries around here are okay, with some being really good and up-to-date. Of course, part of that stems from how much the city/gov’t is willing to invest in public works/infrastructure, which, as a developed nation goes, is rather small to focus on maintaining the lifestyle rather than expanding it.
I’ve just finished reading an amazing biography through Chinese history by Yuan-Tsung Chen called Return to Middle Kingdom, which spans three generations of her family living in (and outside of) China where they lived through three separate revolutions. If you liked Wild Swans you will definitely enjoy this one.
Her portraits of the historical figures of the time are unforgettable. I was particularly taken with the first appearance in the book of Mao Zedong as a young, lanky, thirty year old man. The book spans around a century and a half of Chinese history and shows the emergence of the modern China in full detail. The most compelling parts though are during the late 19th and early 20th century, when China was going through so much political change. With all that War and revolution the story still manages to fit in the humanity of the people as well as romance (for those who like that sort of thing)