Return Library Books at These Two Specialty Coffee Shops in Qingdao

If you’ve ever avoided borrowing library books because you dread the trip to the main branch just to return them, you’re not alone. Many people in Qingdao’s Shinan District felt the same—until a new partnership between the local government and independent coffee shops changed the game.

Now, residents can borrow and return library books at two designated cafes across the district—one in the east, one in the west—making it far more convenient to access the city’s public reading resources without setting foot in a traditional library.

How the 'Fei Yue Qingdao' Library Program Works

The Shinan District government launched the 'Fei Yue Qingdao' (Read in Qingdao) initiative to bring library books into everyday spaces. Under this program, over 260 local coffee shops have been stocked with free books provided by the district library, effectively turning them into pop-up public reading spots.

The project began as a way to expand the reach of public libraries by using existing community hubs. Rather than requiring citizens to visit a central library building, the initiative brings books directly to places people already frequent—like cafes.

Two Pilot Cafes Now Offer Full Library Services

As a next step, the district selected two larger coffee shops to pilot a more advanced service: full interlibrary borrowing and returning. These two locations—Chengcheng Shuyuan (Orange Orange Academy) at 40 Daxue Road, and Xingguangxian Cafe—are now equipped with library management systems that connect them to the wider municipal network.

That means users can borrow books from any public library in Qingdao and return them at either cafe, or borrow directly from the cafe’s own stock and return them elsewhere. Chengcheng Shuyuan, for instance, started with the owner’s personal collection of around 1,000 books, mainly in literature and history. After the district added more titles, the total collection doubled.

Why This Model Benefits Everyone

The program is designed to be mutually beneficial. For the cafes, the presence of books—and the ability to offer full library services—attracts more customers. For readers, it removes barriers to accessing books. And for the district, it extends the impact of public cultural services without building new infrastructure.

Cafe owner Han Wei noted that his staff also serve as part-time librarians, which helps manage costs. The district sees this as a cost-efficient form of public-private partnership. The model has even been recognized at the provincial level, earning a spot as a finalist for the Second Shandong Provincial Cultural Innovation Award.

What’s Next for the Program

The district plans to expand the program in the coming year, adding more cafes to the interlibrary network. Officials also hinted at the possibility of installing electronic lending machines in participating venues. The long-term goal is to create a five-tier cultural service network—connecting city, district, neighborhood, community, and individual cafe locations—to support what they call 'culture for all' and 'reading for pleasure.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Which two coffee shops in Qingdao let you borrow and return library books?

As of the latest update, Chengcheng Shuyuan (Orange Orange Academy) at 40 Daxue Road and Xingguangxian Cafe are the two pilot locations in Shinan District equipped with full library borrowing and returning systems. Both are connected to Qingdao’s municipal library network.

Do I need a special card to borrow books at these cafes?

No special card is needed beyond a standard public library card issued by Qingdao’s city or district libraries. The cafes are integrated into the existing public lending system, so your regular library credentials work.

How many books are available at these cafes?

Chengcheng Shuyuan initially had around 1,000 books from the owner’s personal collection, mostly in literature and history. After the district added more titles, the total collection grew to over 2,000 volumes. The exact number at Xingguangxian was not specified.

Is this service limited to Shinan District?

Not necessarily. While the two pilot cafes are located in Shinan District, the books available come from the wider Qingdao municipal library system. The long-term plan is to expand the interlibrary return and borrowing service to more cafes across the city.

Will more cafes get library book machines or systems soon?

Yes. District officials stated they plan to include more cafes in the interlibrary service network and may install electronic lending machines in the future as part of the expansion.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Reading at Cafés

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