【Commentary】Xiwangzhuang Village, Changli County, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, has a new rural library covering an area of more than 600 square meters, this library was founded by Zhao Runming and Zhang Yanling of the village, since its completion in 1981, the library has more than 10,3 books and newspapers, providing free lending services for tens of thousands of people. On March 16, the reporter saw in Zhao Runming's house that except for the two rooms where the old couple lived normally, the rest of the houses were filled with various books and newspapers. According to Zhao Runming, he has loved reading and collecting books since he was a child, and reading has enriched his spiritual world. Living in a rural area as a young man, he realized the lack of cultural life of the villagers, and the idea of starting a library was born.
【Contemporaneous】Zhao Runming
This room was created in 1981, it was mainly for farmers, because at that time (belonged) to the reform and opening up (early stage), farmers were also eager for scientific and technological knowledge, (this room is mainly) some planting, breeding, some family side business books, we have been free for the village and the surrounding people (to provide lending) services, (this room) books and periodicals have more than 5000,<> volumes.
Zhao Runming said that at the beginning of the establishment of the library, in order to meet the reading needs of local villagers, he often took the train to Beijing, Shijiazhuang and other used book markets to buy books.
【Contemporaneous】Zhao Runming
In the 1985 years from 1995 to 10, I bought books in Beijing, carried a big bag, went to the used book market (to buy books), and I still remember that one year I bought a set of "The Complete Works of Lenin", at that time it was asking for 200 (yuan), there were more than 200 yuan left in my pocket, if I spent 200 (yuan) to buy this set of books, the rest (money) was only enough to buy a train ticket home, and the money for eating was gone, so I had to come back hungry.
【Contemporaneous】Zhang Yanling
When I first started the book house, it was very difficult, the money for raising pigs and chickens, we all pooled together to buy books, and the clothes worn by the children were all given by my sister and my sister-in-law, and (to now) the money spent on buying books is nearly 50,<> yuan.
In 2007, Zhao Runming built a large bungalow in his home to store all kinds of books. At present, his "Rural Book House" not only provides a platform for local villagers to read and exchange, but also becomes a teaching base for local governments, schools and other institutions, and various themed activities are held here every year.
【During the same period】 Yang Donglan, a villager in Xiwangzhuang
Since he (this library) was built in 1981, I have always come here, I run here to read books when I have time, and when the farm is busy, I go here to read books in winter.
【Contemporaneous】Zhao Runming
I think that more and more people are reading, we (the country) will be more successful in rural revitalization, although we are older, but we still have the confidence to insist on running this library, I hope that more people read more, read good books, and let it play its due role.
Chen Shiyu reports from Qinhuangdao
Responsible Editor: [Wang Yu]