Amid pleasant spring scenery, the fragrance of books permeates the air. The "Yuanhetang Riverside, Reading into the Future" book market was recently successfully held at Suzhou's Little Bund, incorporating spring landscapes and cultural heritage along the Yuanhe River to create a public reading event integrating reading promotion, cultural interaction, convenient services, and charitable activities.
In recent years, Suzhou's Xiangcheng High-Tech Zone (Yuanhe Subdistrict) has continuously developed its "Reading Together" public reading brand. By expanding service networks, innovating activity formats, and consolidating collaborative efforts, the district contributes to building a scholarly Xiangcheng.
Reading resources have become widely accessible throughout Yuanhe, with cultural services available within immediate reach. Leveraging resources from local community civilization practice centers, the subdistrict has established diverse cultural venues including community bookrooms, shared reading points, and small reading corners to extend cultural services to the grassroots level. Residents can conveniently access quality reading materials near their homes.
On multiple platforms of Suzhou Metro Line 8, bookshelves created through collaboration between the subdistrict and Xiangcheng District Public Reading Promotion Association allow commuters to encounter books during waiting times. At the Yiyun Street Civilization Station, comfortable reading environments with readily available books and newspapers provide pleasant experiences for visitors. A student from Lumu Experimental Primary School expressed delight after visiting: "It's especially convenient to come here and read anytime, even during holidays."
By the end of March 2026, Xiangcheng High-Tech Zone (Yuanhe Subdistrict) had established 5 libraries and 29 community bookrooms. The district has introduced high-quality physical bookstore resources including Duoyun Bookstore and Xinhua Bookstore's Fanhua Book City, while creating distinctive reading spaces such as the Hui Lounge Reading Room and Fanhua Center Energy Station. These developments integrate reading into urban life and nourish residents' daily experiences.
In Yuanhe, the book culture extends beyond printed pages into vibrant community life. Focusing on public benefits, the subdistrict provides multi-scenario, all-ages, and specialized reading experiences that combine warmth with depth. Through the "Public Reading Spring Breeze Initiative," reading activities have expanded from community bookrooms to daily commuting scenarios. The "Reading Together, Welcoming Spring with Books" event at Yuyao Metro Station offered accessible cultural experiences that illuminate new possibilities for reading anywhere.
Addressing core needs of both elderly and young residents, communities have developed layered service models. These include customized health education and book delivery services for seniors, alongside holiday reading growth programs for youth. Building on Yuanhetang's cultural heritage, communities integrate local culture with reading education through innovative activities like family tradition tea parties, Suzhou dialect picture book classes, and kesi silk craft workshops, revitalizing cultural traditions through literary immersion.
In Yuanhe, the fragrance of books intensifies through convergence and extends through sharing. The subdistrict actively coordinates regional resources, engaging government, enterprises, communities, and schools to establish collaborative reading ecosystems where reading takes root through collective efforts.
To cultivate reading habits among children, Jianyuan Community partnered with Suzhou Library, Suzhou Metro Line 4, Xiangcheng Bus Company, and Konka Aide Kindergarten to provide reading initiation services at Yaoxiang Metro Station through intergenerational activities, allowing book culture to enrich childhood experiences.
By integrating civilization cultivation with daily reading practices, Xiangcheng High-Tech Zone promotes resource sharing between community bookrooms and Suzhou Library branches, while complementing specialized brands like Dolphin Bookhouse. This enables shared spaces, collaborative efforts, joint activities, and mutual cultural enrichment, making quality reading resources accessible to more residents.
Communities continue expanding partnerships through school-local government and government-business cooperation, establishing professional reading volunteer teams. Zhongjing Community's Youth Craftsmanship Volunteer Team, created with Suzhou Preschool Education College, provides professional picture book reading services for young children. Yaoxiang Community's Xiang'ai Volunteer Team delivers books to residents with mobility challenges.
Promoting public reading and building a scholarly society remain key objectives. Moving forward, Xiangcheng High-Tech Zone will optimize service provision, expand social participation, and deepen the "Reading Together" public reading brand's influence. The district will continue developing a reading-loving city where "loving books, reading good books, and reading well" become prevailing social norms.