The Xiong'an Library, the first city-level public cultural service institution in Xiong'an New Area, Hebei province, officially opened on Saturday, marking a significant step in providing cultural services for residents in the new area.
The opening is expected to boost the cultural soft power of Xiong'an and attract young talent, authorities said.
As a major cultural landmark, the library covers a total floor area of about 68,000 square meters. It is designed to hold around 1.5 million books and offers about 3,500 reading seats, according to the authorities.
It has introduced smart technologies to reshape the public reading experience, offering fully automated borrowing and returning systems. Besides, AI-powered robots serve as intelligent librarians, providing interactive inquiries and guided tours.
A series of cultural events, including book fairs and themed exhibitions, will be held until the end of the year, the authorities said.