Why do we need libraries in the world?

I'm a literature teacher at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, and I sometimes wonder: Besides teaching, can I step outside of campus and contribute to society? I was offered a temporary position as Deputy Director of the Culture, Tourism, and Sports Bureau of Xi'an's Beilin District. I was surprised to learn that the Beilin District, Xi'an's central urban area, lacked a library. Even more astonishing, the "Xi'an Beilin District Library Construction Project," which I was about to take over, would be built underground! The walls were worn, the wiring was exposed, and it looked a shabby sight. The staff consisted of just me and the director, Xiaoning.
Xiao Ning said she'd let me handle all the book buying. Booksellers sent me catalogs, but I realized I needed to compile one myself, one more suitable for readers in the area. Our library is small, with few books, and this presents a challenge—if we buy even the wrong books, a lot of them will go unused.
The Beilin District is a bustling commercial area in the city center, often visited by parents with children on weekends. The area should feature a larger selection of literary and children's books. Nearby is the nation's largest stone tablet museum, which exhibits not paintings, utensils, or jewelry, but rather calligraphy. This area, just a few minutes' walk from our library, should feature a dedicated section dedicated to calligraphy and inscriptions, with a large inventory of these items being purchased and featured. A separate section for foreign-language children's books is also necessary. Many foreigners work in the Beilin District, and their children would surely be thrilled to see stories in their native language. There should also be a dedicated comics section. If this area is well established, these shelves could become a gathering place for comic book fans, perhaps overflowing with readers on weekends...
I sought help from friends and was asked to select 10,000 books. Unexpectedly, this small list would trigger conflicts of interest, and a "battle to defend the list" would begin...
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【Editor's Recommendation】
This is a true story. Yang Suqiu, an associate professor at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, spent a year in Xi'an's Beilin District, overseeing the construction of the district library. The soul of a library lies in its catalog. In the process of developing the library's catalog, she encountered various unspoken rules and obstacles from all sides. Despite overcoming each hurdle, she ultimately achieved a balance between ideals and reality.
★This event received attention and coverage from CCTV News Weekly, Tencent Guyu Studio, and iQiyi, and Yang Suqiu was hailed as a "public book selector."

2024-01-01

上海译文出版社

298

9787532794133