On April 25, the Nanhu New Area (Dongzha Subdistrict) in Nanhu District will launch a themed event for National Reading Day at Dongzha Wanyue Plaza. The event will feature the "My Treasured Good Books" children's reading campaign, inviting young people aged 3–15 in Jiaxing to submit reading recommendations and heartwarming moments of shared reading through the Nanhu Voice App. Outstanding entries will be displayed and recognized at the event.
Combining online promotions and support from renowned authors with on-site activities and shared experiences, a reading wave covering all age groups and involving the entire community is flourishing in Nanhu New Area.
The series of National Reading Day activities is centrally planned and coordinated by Nanhu New Area, with each community implementing tailored and distinctive programs, forming a diverse reading culture matrix with unique characteristics for each neighborhood.
In the "My Treasured Good Books" campaign, children and teenagers actively participated and shared recommendations for outstanding children's literature such as "Panda Kangji’s Journey," "Gratitude for Summer in Winter," and "The Big Monster in the Forbidden City." The children not only expressed their reading insights but also shared life lessons and personal growth inspired by the books, helping more people discover and appreciate these meaningful stories. The initiative has spread the joy of reading, nurturing young minds and warming hearts.
Renowned children's author Yang Hongying was invited to the area to interact with young readers, sharing stories behind her "Ma Xiaotiao" series and using this classic IP to ignite a passion for reading and literature among children.
At the community level, Nanhu New Area has organized diverse activities catering to all ages. Wenxian Community hosted story-sharing sessions for young children, sparking their interest in reading through engaging storytelling. Yunyang Community held the "Books Bring Neighbors Together, Reading Warms the Community" event, where residents gathered to read and share insights, using books as a bridge to strengthen neighborhood bonds. Nanjiang Community brought reading activities to local kindergartens with immersive picture book performances to enrich children's reading experiences.
Xinnan Community launched the "Reading Nurtures Xinnan, Growing Through Shared Books" series, offering activities such as senior citizen reading clubs, classic recitations, book exchanges, and reading achievement exhibitions, creating a full-cycle immersive reading experience.
"Community reading activities are now right at our doorstep, with everything from children's picture book sessions to reading shares for seniors—it's very thoughtful," said Aunt Zhang, a resident of Luli Community. The diverse activities have transformed reading from a solitary activity into an engaging, interactive, and shareable experience.
Nanhu New Area is committed to fostering a sustainable reading culture by developing smart study rooms and implementing campaigns against illegal publications and harmful content. This dual approach ensures that reading is accessible, safe, and enjoyable.
In terms of infrastructure, the area has established a high-standard smart study room network, creating a "15-minute reading circle." The Jiugu Community Smart Study Room, opened in July 2023, spans 350 square meters and houses over 7,000 books. It includes dedicated children's reading areas, mental wellness spaces, parent-child corners, and a public fitness room, having already hosted more than 40,000 visitors and over 70 events.
Nanjiang Community’s smart study room covers 380 square meters and features sections for e-reading, adults, parent-child activities, and children. It also offers a "Little Librarian" program and has partnered with community collaborators to host nearly 60 public reading courses. Additional facilities, such as the Yundong Smart Bookhouse, Xinnan reading corners, and book exchange stations, ensure reading services are easily accessible to residents.
"The smart study rooms offer a great environment and a wide selection of books. Both children after school and seniors in their free time love to come here—it has become a true cultural landmark in the community," said a staff member from Jiugu Community.
To safeguard the reading environment, Nanhu New Area integrates anti-piracy efforts and youth protection campaigns with reading promotion, creating a clean and safe space for readers. During Lantern Festival handicraft events, Nanjiang Community included anti-piracy awareness sessions to help seniors identify illegal publications. Jiugu Community offers "Youth Protection" classes to teach children how to choose healthy reading materials. Rongchuang Community conducts themed campaigns against harmful publications and inappropriate content, while Yunyang Community compares authentic and pirated books during classic literature sessions to raise copyright awareness. These multi-faceted efforts promote green reading and civilized internet use.
"With smart study rooms, reading is more convenient; with anti-piracy efforts, reading is safer," said Zhao Liyu, a community partner in Nanjiang Community. Quality facilities and a clean environment work together to make reading more enjoyable and secure.
From centrally coordinated brand activities to community-driven initiatives, from author-led reading trends to easily accessible reading spaces, and from community-wide cultural feasts to long-term protective measures—Nanhu New Area uses reading as a bond to enrich neighborhood life and nourish the soul. Reading has become a daily habit and spiritual pursuit for residents, injecting continuous vitality into high-quality grassroots cultural development.
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