China’s Public Libraries See Rising Footfall

Public libraries across China are witnessing a significant rise in visitor numbers, with total visits reaching 1.47 billion in 2025, a 9.3% increase compared with the previous year. The trend highlights growing public interest in libraries as spaces for reading, studying and quiet learning.

While the circulation of physical books has declined slightly, demand for quiet study and reading spaces has increased sharply, resulting in seating shortages at several libraries. Staff at Fengtai District Library in Beijing said many readers arrive around 8 a.m. and wait in queues for about an hour to secure a seat, with crowds becoming heavier on weekends.