Library opens new chapter in retiree’s life
Print Edition
MANY elderly Chinese enjoy their retirement looking after grandchildren, or joining square dancing groups. Meng Xiangqian, 63, however, reignited his career by applying for a post at China’s “lonely library.”
The library, built just a year ago by a real estate developer and a renowned publishing company, boasts an exclusive section of the beach at Beidaihe, the nearest coastal resort to Beijing.
Far from the concrete jungle and urban bustle, the seaside library with its picturesque views went viral last year with web users calling it “the loneliest library in the world.”
Meng never expected to gain such distinction in the digital age. He retired in 2013 from a 30-year career in libraries. He is proud of being a librarian, as Chairman Mao, the idol of his generation, did the same job at Peking University before leading China’s revolution.
When his daughter showed him the library’s recruitment advertisement, he sent in his resume along with hundreds of others. Two months later, he was offered the job.
“How could I say no to such an enviable offer?” Meng told Xinhua earlier this month.
In a year, more than 70,000 visitors have flocked to the library, which can only seat 60 visitors. At the peak, it received 2,000 people in one day.
However, not everyone came to read. Some took photos and selfies with the seascape; some came to flirt with their dates; and the sound of the waves was always drowned by the noise of running children.
Meng could not tolerate such chaos. After two months, he drew up strict rules for the scenic attraction: no photographing and chatting in the reading room; no entry without a reservation ticket.
Some complain he takes the job too seriously, but Meng insists traditional library rules should be followed.
He feels he has a responsibility to tell visitors that the beautiful library was built not just to create stunning views, but also to inspire people to read. He is not always strict. Once he postponed the closing time for an elderly visitor who had traveled 50km on a sweltering summer day but did not know how to book a ticket online.
He invited children from nearby fishing villages to come and read. Most of them had never been to a library before.
He believes the community of readers distinguishes a library from a bookstore.
Meng, the only librarian, usually opens at 9am. Every day and closes the doors at 6pm. Not content with keeping order or cleaning shelves, he is trying to handwrite an index for 5,100 books — “not for extra pay, but for extra fun.”
Since joining social media to introduce the library to a wider readership, he has gained a wide following.
His hard work has moved others. Visitors bring him mooncakes and fruit on Mid-Autumn Day; book lovers donate their collections; and friends and former colleagues help organize reading clubs.
Some experts predict technology will one day make librarians obsolete. But Meng said the connection between a librarian and readers can never be replaced.
Young colleagues and visitors call him “Uncle Meng.” A schoolgirl named Ma Rongrong wrote to Meng saying, “You take care of the ‘lonely library’ like it is your child.”
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
