Zhang slides his card to enter a 24-hour self-service library, choosing books and registering automatically. In only 2 minutes, he’s gotten what he wants. “Borrowing books is as convenient as drawing money from an ATM,” he said happily.

The library is located in a wooden house at Liangfeng community in Zhangjiagang of Jiangsu province. It was inspired by advice from Zhou Weijun, a member of the China Democratic League.

Zhangjiagang has made great efforts to develop numerous quality libraries. But conditions are not yet as good as in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. With city expansion and increasing population, library services must be more convenient.

In 2011, Zhou suggested the construction of a 24-hour self-service library.

The advice garnered attention from the local government. In May 2013, the first 24-hour self-service library opened to the public, the first of its kind in the province. It is not large, but it understands what’s important. With a citizen card, people can borrow books freely.