The prefecture-level city of Zibo, in East China's Shandong province, has made great efforts to build up its image as a "literary Zibo" - including reading campaigns launched in October to satisfy the needs of locals and create an atmosphere that encourages the gentle pastime in every corner of the city.

In rural areas, Zibo's bureau of culture and tourism has actively leveraged the social and cultural influence of municipal libraries to spur companies and volunteers to donate and increase the supply of quality reading material – to enable the public to easily access books, papers and magazines.

A variety of books are made available for locals in Beigongcun village, in the Zichuan district of Zibo. [Photo/WeChat account: zibowenhualvyou]

To really connect with people, Zibo established reading rooms in urban communities, to extend the services of the public libraries and it also organized parent-child reading activities.

It has also jointly cooperated with the municipal education bureau to organize practical reading sessions, by recommending books and helping to create the right kind of places for those interested to quietly get stuck into books in primary and secondary schools.

An oasis of tranquility: The reading room at Zibo's Luthai Textile Group. [Photo/WeChat account: zibowenhualvyou]

Other measures have included promoting reading rooms and organizing learning activities in government bureaus, encouraging companies to set up their own reading rooms, as well as donating various books to the armed forces.

Moving forwards, plans are for the city to pursue its goal of achieving a literary Zibo by continuing to improve its reading facilities and by launching a series of activities to promote the national reading campaign.