Library link to retailer fast-tracks new books
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Source: Shanghai Daily | August 18, 2015, Tuesday | PRINT EDITION
Members of the Minhang District Library will be able to borrow books from local bookstores under a new initiative that began this month. The district is the first in Shanghai to introduce the service, which is expected to be expanded citywide. Under the system, library patrons can go to the Xinhua Bookstore on Xinsong Road and borrow new books, using their library membership cards and IDs. They are allowed to choose a maximum of three books, whose combined prices total no more than 100 yuan (US$15.80). Access to new books “Usually, it takes a long time for a newly issued book to appear on library shelves,” said Zhang Jingfang, director of the library. “We hope that the new service will give readers faster access to new books they want to read.” Textbooks, reference books, children’s books and books on computer sciences are not included in the service. The borrowing period for the books is 28 days. People who don’t return the books on time will be suspended from the service. Zhang said the library will buy the books that have been borrowed by readers. The library will also establish an online system with the bookstore for book-borrowing registration. “We hope that libraries and bookstores can cooperate more in the future, providing readers better services and more new books,” said Zhang. |