China's National Library Sunday opened a special service week, in a bid to learn what readers want.

Information desks were set up at the gate of the National Library Sunday morning, and the library's director, as well as his assistants, were present to provide consultation services.

A lecture was given by Gao Zhanxiang, honorary commissioner of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, on the topic of reading.

In the days to come, other experts from Peking University and Tsinghua University will also give lectures on the utilization of libraries and the informatization work of the National Library.

Special services will be offered to children during the week, including guided tours to the main library in Baishiqiao, in northwest Beijing, and the branch library in Beihai, in central Beijing.

In addition, three exhibitions have been opened, featuring news on the first day of the new millennium, and art works by the physically challenged and by children, respectively.

(People's Daily May 27, 2002)