Unpopular, neglected books given a helping hand at Shanghai Library

Shanghai Library has launched an exhibition to promote fine literature that has been less popular among its readers.

Displayed in the directory hall, the exhibition, to run through August 12, involves 65 Chinese books, 35 foreign language books and 20 electronic books. Some of them weren't even borrowed once in an entire year, according to the library.

The books, including those on social sciences and technology, are recommended based on evaluations on their writers, comments and the awards they have received.

Recommended Chinese literature should be easy to read and understand, such as the novel "Flying" written by Wang Zengqi, with an average score of 8.3 on rating website Douban.com. Foreign language books should be particularly professional, with an average score of 4.4 on Amazon, such as "The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History" by Elizabeth Kolbert, a reporter for New Yorker magazine.

Detailed information of each book is displayed, including its author, publisher and serial number. The 20 electronic books can be downloaded with a quick scan using a mobile phone.

The exhibition aims to remind readers of good books that might be neglected, said Zhou Deming, deputy director with the library.