The Ningbo Children's Library, one of ten cultural landmarks in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, opens on July 8. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ningbo's vibrant youth gathered on July 8 as the curtains rose on the long-awaited Ningbo Children's Library, one of the city's ten cultural landmarks.

Nestled within the cultural hub of Ningbo's Eastern New Town, this architectural gem emerged from a former commercial complex. The avant-garde library is set to house a staggering 800,000 books, offering 1,000 reading sanctuaries and positioning itself as a beacon among children's libraries nationwide.

Designed with a strong emphasis on being "child-friendly" and promoting "graded reading", the library's services are tailored to cater to the unique cognitive and developmental needs of children at different stages of growth.

The International Children's Book Collection area showcases nearly 15,000 original children's books from countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, and Spain. A self-service room offers 50,000 books for both adults and children, while the "Family Education" area provides resources suitable for parents and educators.

The library also features an accessible reading room to accommodate children with special needs such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, and autism.

The library's aesthetic, predominantly themed in blue to reflect marine culture and regional identity, is complemented by a playful yellow octopus mascot, adding a whimsical touch. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a towering three-story-high octopus mascot with tentacle slides for children to play on.

Spread across three floors, the library's first and second levels serve as the primary reading spaces, housing age-specific reading rooms, a self-service reading area, the International Children’s Book Collection area, an accessible reading room, and a toy room. The toy room is a haven for children aged six and under, offering 250 types of toys, such as blocks and puzzles, to facilitate learning through play.

The third floor provides a futuristic interactive space featuring AR reading, VR space capsules, digital interpreters, a Q&A encyclopedia wall, and more, delivering immersive digital experiences for children.

The library also showcases exhibitions such as "Reading with Children" and a captivating dinosaur-themed science exhibition to enrich the reading experiences of young visitors.

Following its grand opening, the library will undergo a two-month trial period, with a daily capacity of 2,000 individuals. Throughout the summer vacation, it plans to host over 100 reading-related activities.