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| One Way Street Bookstore. Photo by Wang Bowen | Located in a small corner of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, One Way Street Library has begun to attract people's attention with its unique features.
Why? We sent China Drive features correspondent Zhou Jing to find out.
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One Way Street Library is not exactly a traditional library but a distinctive bookstore. The difference is it's most concerned with how to foster its public space for thought-provoking communication.
And, comprised of a delicately-decorated bookstore and a large courtyard capped by luxuriant walnut trees, One Way Street Library is just the setting for such an undertaking.
The name of One Way Street Library was given to it according to the architecture of the bookstore's main building, which is very much like a long and narrow corridor. And, coupled with the bookstore's interior is its courtyard, set aside for free interactive Book Talks given by famous Beijing intellects every weekend.
Ms Yuwei, the chief founder of One Way Street Library and an experienced journalist, told us the motivation behind establishing the bookstore and hosting free interactive cultural Book Talks.
To serve this goal, as Yuwei has made many friends with important people in China's elite cultural circles throughout her career in journalism, she is able to invite many famous Chinese intellects to give free Book Talks at the library.
Mrs Wang is a fervent participant in One Way Street's Book Talks.
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| Ms. Yu Wei | "One Way Street Library always invites intellects to communicate in its Book Talks for free. I like the openness, interaction and free communication of the Book Talks here. I can hear about the creative process behind a new publication or even a musical performance from the guest speakers. I think this kind of direct communication with social elites is very attractive to us."
Aside from the appealing interactive Book Talks, another feature of One Way Street Library is its recommendation books. Upon entering the store, at once patrons are presented with a white bookshelf full of titles classified as "recommendation books".
Many loyal customers frequent One Way Street Library just for these books.
"I like the recommendation books best as they are chosen by the store owners, who are a group of famous journalists and have already become the leaders of public opinion in Beijing. I think they have a better taste in books."
In less than a year, One Way Street Library's work has already been recognized by society. Its two branches in Xihai and Jianwai SOHO have been opened rent-free.
The founders of One Way Street Library hope to eventually make their distinct bookstore a national chain, with outlets spread across the country. In addition, a One Way Street book series and magazine are being incubated and might hit China's cultural market very soon.
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| Xu Zhiyuan, one of the founders of the bookstore |
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Director: Liu Chi