In response to a growing demand for personalized reading experiences, a groundbreaking 24-hour smart library will open in Lhasa, capital of the Xizang autonomous region, later this month.

With an investment of over 5 million yuan ($690,000) and a total area of 608 square meters, the innovative reading space aims to cater to the fast-paced and diverse needs of modern society as part of an effort to promote reading, according to the Lhasa City Library, which is in charge of the project.

The smart library, designed with advanced concepts and a focus on reader convenience, promises to inject fresh vitality into public library services through a comprehensive upgrade encompassing platform construction, smart reading promotion and enhanced service experiences.

The first of the library's two floors will boast a reading area equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including an electronic reading zone, a cultural and tourism display screen showcasing Xizang's rich heritage, and a tranquil reading pavilion. Amenities such as charging stations, self-service card issuance machines, cultural product vending machines, and self-service coffee machines will also be available.

The focus on the second floor will be on study and reader engagement, with readers able to immerse themselves in a comfortable self-study area furnished with cozy seating and coffee tables, providing a serene space for learning. Beverage services offering coffee and tea will further enhance the reading experience.

An activity area on the second floor will host a variety of cultural, academic and social events, featuring experts and scholars sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences to broaden readers' horizons.

Zhu Chunlin, head of the Lhasa City Library, said technological innovations will play a pivotal role in the smart library's operations, leveraging biometric recognition, automation, big data and multimedia technologies.

The library will also implement an efficient self-service book management system, enabling quick book borrowing and returns.

"Smart bookshelves with RFID technology facilitate easy book location, enhancing borrowing efficiency, real-time updates on cultural information through the smart wall and the dissemination of borrowing and reading data via the big data system will keep readers informed about library activities," Zhu said.

Intelligent robot librarians will further enhance the futuristic ambience, providing round-the-clock navigation and consultation services for a seamless reading journey, Zhu said.

"The smart transformation of the Lhasa City Library is poised to elevate service efficiency and quality while delivering unparalleled convenience and comfort to readers," he said.

"As the 24-hour smart library prepares to open its doors, it is set to become a captivating landmark in Lhasa, beckoning readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of smart reading."

Kelsang Wangchuk, a college graduate in Lhasa, said he likes reading but prefers to do it in a library.

"I am happy to hear that a 24-hour self-service library will be opening in Lhasa. It's good news for me, because it means I can go to read at any time," Kelsang Wangchuk said.

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