On Nov 11, Faith Miyandazi, head of Public Relations from UNESCO Institution for Lifelong Learning and Michelle Diederichs came to visit Hangzhou Public Library and did an investigation when the Members’ Meeting of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) held in Hangzhou. They gave high praise to the services to library users and the achievements made by the library.
Background
Hangzhou has been the first Chinese city to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. The city also took the national lead to provide 15-year compulsory education from kindergarten to senior high school. About 60 percent of high school graduates can enter college, one of the highest rates in the country. Hangzhou has more than 400 libraries, museums, theaters and community cultural centers. A resident can find a public cultural facility within 15 minutes of walk. Hangzhou Library is the first in the nation to allow people to read books and journals without a library card. The city also has more than 450 rural cultural centers to provide villagers a place for reading and entertainment. There is a lifelong education system for Hangzhou residents, too. Some 1,000 cities worldwide want to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, which provides policy guidance, know-how and best practices for cities to better manage their future.
