FOR Huang Yifei, a product manager at a medical equipment manufacturer, her daily visit to a local library in Pingshan District serves as a welcome respite from her busy work schedule. Pingshan Library, an hour’s drive from the city center, provides a unique experience that makes it stand out from traditional libraries. Visitors can enjoy listening free vinyl records in an innovative music hall, featuring a wall covered with hundreds of records to choose from. People sit by the floor-to-ceiling windows equipped with headphones, immersing themselves in melodies that slowly wash away the day’s stress. “Surrounded by lush greenery, it’s a perfect escape,” Huang said. This is a lesser-known part of Pingshan, which is home to global leaders like electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and smart device provider Honor. However, the district has also gained recognition on social media platforms as a “must-visit” destination, thanks to its novel cultural offerings. The library regularly hosts engaging events, such as a recent civil law lecture by an esteemed scholar, which drew about 300 attendees. This event is part of a five-year tradition where visitors interact with prominent figures from diverse fields three to four times every month. Lu Qimei, executive deputy director of Pingshan Library, attributes the advanced cultural offerings to the district’s reformed management system for public cultural facilities. Unlike traditional government-run models, the new approach employs industry professionals to manage the operations. Renowned literature scholar Zhou Guoping and architect Liu Xiaodu serve as directors of the district’s library and art museum, respectively, while experts from publishing, art, and other industries sit on the board of trustees. “These experts bring fresh ideas and specialized insights that greatly enhance the library’s operational capabilities,” Lu explained. The cultural services reform in Pingshan extends beyond the library. The district has integrated diverse resources to enrich its cultural industry landscape. For instance, the district government and Longma Studio from Beijing are collaborating to restore aged village houses into a hub for theatrical creation and artistic performances. Additionally, many spots and trails in Pingshan have been redesigned, with digital introductions about the rich botanical and zoological resources available along the 15 hiking routes. Pingshan has tailored its approach to ensure that all residents have access to quality cultural resources. “We deliver government-funded public cultural and sports services to factories, industrial parks, schools and communities,” said Chen Lanlan, director of Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Pingshan District. As China strives for comprehensive reform with culture as a key focus, Pingshan pledges to continue enhancing public cultural services, artistic creation, talent attraction, and cultural tourism development. “Our goal is to serve up an even richer ‘cultural feast’ for our residents,” Chen said. (Xinhua) | 