Last week, we finally made it to a well-known library among the expatriates here. A friend agreed to meet us there and we were lucky to find a taxi driver who knew exactly where it was!
The Apple Tree Library is located in a busy area in town and was housed in a five-storey building. Entering the ground floor, we were greeted by pre-teen Chinese kids huddled in front of computers.
As the English children’s books section was on the fifth floor, we had to climb! Phew, the message seems to be,
“Learning to read in English is like climbing a mountain.”
Welcome to the Apple Tree Library:
Since English books are either difficult to find in bookshops here (only bestselling or bilingual ones are available and that at extremely high prices), I kept my expectations low. Boy, was I surprised!
First, I was impressed by the clean, well-lit and organized space, which had a check-out counter, a small stage, a toddler books section and a young adult books section.
THE CHECK-OUT COUNTER
The librarian was friendly and helpful in directing us to the ground floor where we could sign up for a library card. As we spoke Chinese, she only knew we were foreigners when we asked if a passport is needed LOL
For a library card, only a cash deposit, which determines the number of books you can borrow, is needed. The standard loan period is 2 weeks, which can be extended up to a month on the spot or through the phone. Isn’t it great?
THE TODDLER SECTION
Here’s the reading area in the toddler section, which had close to twenty six feet high shelves and shelves of English books all waiting to be read!
I loved the low, cushioned settees that allowed children to sit there with a new found book. If it were me though, I’d probably sit cross-legged on the floor! Who reads a juicy book perched on a settee anyway?
Here’s a better view of the entire toddler section. I even found some cloth books for babies! However, I wouldn’t borrow cloth books for my baby unless I could wash them thoroughly first…
Meanwhile, our preschooler who was browsing through the shelves in search of books.
I knew he was looking for books on trains, trucks or cars and then he found THE book.
Hehe, trust him to find Down by the Station by Jess Stockham
Although the book looked intriguing, I was wondering if it’s a practical read to take along home…
Jumping excitedly, he called his Papa to bring it down for him,
“Let’s read this book! Let’s read! Faster, faster, faster…”
When he had happily settled down with his book, I was free to browse the rest of the library 
Of course, the books weren’t arranged according to the Dewey-Decimal system but neither were they arranged according to the author’s last name. I finally found out that they were arranged in alphabetical order according to the book title.
Then again, when I came upon “The Cat in the Hat
I found many classics, loads of Disney’s and other popular children’s books…
THE YOUNG ADULT BOOK SECTION
With Hubby reading to the tot his next book, I hurried over to the young adult section. I was looking for Judy Blume’s “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
I was browsing through the available titles when a friend called – and could I stand in for her Business English class that afternoon because one of her English instructors was down ill ? Since Hubby agreed to watch the tot, I replied yes.
We checked out three books i.e. The Three Little Pigs, Big Book Of Trucks (Tonka)
The loan amount came up to RMB140, which is quite steep for 3 books. Although the library is free, I didn’t see many Chinese kids around.
I’m guessing that they’re unable to read the English books independently OR the average Chinese parent may not want to freeze up large amounts of money on books their kids can’t read.
We can’t wait to return to the Apple Tree Library to check out the other English books available. I’m also keen to find out if I can do something useful there.
I certainly hope to find more Chinese kids there next time. Currently, most library users are the English-speaking expatriates or children who attend the international schools.
Interestingly, the Apple Tree Library is started by the Apple Tree Library Foundation, a group of mainland Chinese living in the United States, with the aim to:
“Promote reading and build English language capacity in China, through public or private US/China collaborations to establish public children’s libraries.”
In the meantime, I hope that the librarians and donors in charge of book selection will visit this blog for ideas or this other guide on children’s books
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Tags: library
What a cozy-looking library! And wow, so many Dr. Seuss’ books. I’m guessing they have the whole collection?
You didn’t mention what kind of young adult books they have. Would love to know what titles are there.
Looks great, doesn’t it? Now I don’t have to worry about English children’s books for the tot. Not sure if he grasps the concept of “borrowing” though LOL
He loves the “Big Book of Trucks” so much, I don’t think he’ll give it back!
I can’t wait to check out the young adult titles myself