On April 23, 2025, to mark the 30th World Book and Copyright Day, the 68th episode of the "Learning at Tsinghua·Living Library", jointly organized by Tsinghua University Library, Department of Chinese Language and Literature of the School of Humanities, and Rixin College, was held in Tsinghua University Old Library’s First Reading Room,. Titled "Reading as a Lifestyle," the event invited Professor WANG Zhongchen from School of Humanities and Academic Committee Member of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences to share his lifelong journey with reading. Library Director JIN Jianbin served as the dialogue guest, while Deputy Library Director Zhang Qiu hosted the event. The hybrid event attracted over 85,000 participants both online and offline, fostering intellectual exchanges to explore the essence of reading.
During the keynote session, Professor WANG Zhongchen reflected on his personal and academic experiences, sharing insights into his relationship with reading. "Books allowed me to transcend the boundaries of rural life, connect with the wisdom of ancient sages and diverse civilizations, and enabled a village boy who only began reading in elementary school to venture into a broader world," he remarked. "It is through books that human knowledge and ideas transcend time and borders, spreading far and wide, weaving bonds between hearts and minds." He emphasized that "only by cross-referencing texts with societal contexts can one truly 'activate' reading." In an era of fragmented reading, "we must cherish the intellectual space created by libraries and physical books. We should consciously limit our time spent on video-based reading, and instead carve out time for physical books. We need to savor the tactile experience of turning pages, and rekindle the dynamic interplay between reading and reflection, thereby countering the pitfalls of superficial, fleeting reading. Reading is not just a lifestyle—it is a constantly evolving one."
In the dialogue session, JIN Jianbin and WANG Zhongchen engaged in an in-depth discussion on topics such as "the relationship between literature and life," "how literature reflects the authenticity of life," and "the impact of different texts on readers."
Since last year, WANG Zhongchen has been donating his lifelong collection of books to the Tsinghua University Library in phases. JIN Jianbin, on behalf of the library, presented him with a donation certificate, praising the act as "a continuation of academic legacy and a tribute to the Tsinghua spirit." He also called on scholars to donate their collections to the library to advance reading and research.
On World Book and Copyright Day, Tsinghua University Library, through the "Living Library" initiative, urged the public to reclaim deep reading and anchor the power of reflection amid the torrent of information.
