One card to access hundreds of libaries

Beijing (CNS) -- The Capital Library Alliance was established on Monday, which means Beijing citizens with one library card will probably have access to the literature and documents housed in over one hundred libraries.

A total of more than 110 libraries voluntarily joined the alliance, including the National Library and the libraries of various universities, hospitals and the army.

Those with the 'one card solution' are currently able to borrow and return books from 60 libraries within Beijing but this will be extended to over one hundred.

The alliance web under construction will be capable of sharing digital resources and intends to offer readers a real-time consulting service.

The municipal government fully supports the library alliance, said Vice Mayor Lu Wei, knowing it will benefit the city's library resource allocation and integration.

Zhu Qiang, head of Peking University Library, commented that a single library is hard pressed to satisfy readers' demands, and libraries need to improve both their facilities and services.