With its novel architecture and impressive outward appearance, the Shanghai Jiading Library drew lots of attention when it opened in 2013. 

It was voted the "best public library in the world" by the US-based Interior Design Magazine. Four years later, the suburban library still remains a favorite with Shanghai's bookworms. 

Designed by Vermilion Zhou Design Group, the compound combines southern China's scholarly architectural tradition with modern elements. From above, the rooftops look like open books. Grey tiles and glass walls, chambers and patios...all the rooms are brightly-lit which give readers a view of the outdoors. 

The two-level library boasts a collection of more than 1.2 million printed volumes. The interior makes use of wooden ceilings, high walls, and open bookshelves that are less than 1.2 meters high. This makes it more convenient for anyone to pick up a book and start reading.

The library is equipped with a 24-hour self-service section, a room with reading equipment for the visually impaired, a hi-fi audio-visual hall, and a multimedia document station. 

An artistic and brightly decorated parent-child reading area is divided into three sections:  reading corner, family reading space and interactive classroom.

"The designers told us that they hope the visitors can feel the sense of spaciousness and breathe more comfortably. We are just a district library. We cannot compare with those big libraries that have huge collections. Our mission is to provide an awesome public culture space that can meet varied needs. The visitor total this year is nearly two million. We are delighted to see that the readers come from not only the neighborhood but from downtown Shanghai, Pudong and even other cities. The whole family can find their favorite places for reading or leisure activities here," said director of the library Huang Ying.

People can use their ID cards and pay a 100-yuan deposit to get a library card. Most of the books are available for borrowing. 

During the day, the two-floor reading section is always packed. After 8 PM, the 24-hour self-service room offers guests a wide selection of 30 thousand books, including best sellers and cookbooks. Two self-service borrow-and-return machines serve 45,000 readers a year.

Modern technologies are not only used here to borrow and return books, but also to create a cultural experience. 

Culture Jiading Cloud is a self-service system on which you can browse cultural activities not only being held in this library but the whole Jiading District, and reserve tickets, all for free. 

"Once logged in, people can search the cultural activities they are interested in and book tickets online. Look, all the tickets for this afternoon's event have been reserved. All the shows and exhibitions of the total 12 cultural and sport centers, museums and theaters in Jiading District are showcased here. These public service locations are also free for the residents to hold public-welfare activities. Also, this platform is a crowdfunding platform on which people can collect money to open temporary classes like yoga, tea ceremony and flower ceremony," library director Huang Ying said.

The architects once said that people and nature were their initial inspiration for this project. They wanted to create a space that locals would love.

Jiading Library has truly become a place for reading, and so much more.