There is an unstaffed (未配备员工的), 24-hour smart bookstore in Guiyang. It belongs to the Xinhua Bookstore. And in addition to selling books, it also serves as a library of sorts.
The bookstore has nearly 10,000 books on a lot of topics that fit all ages. There’s a children’s activity area near the entrance, which is separated from the reading area. Since the store opened, it has received hundreds of customers a day. Most are nearby people who are attracted by its convenience and quiet environment.
Chen Wentao, a 28-year-old young adult, said that he has developed a new reading habit as a result of visiting the store. “Here, I have no concerns. I am free to pick up a book and lose myself in it. Reading brings me a sense of peace in this fast-paced life,” he said.
A number of retirees (退休者) have also been enjoying the store. “I usually come to the bookstore to relax after I finish exercising in the afternoon. It only takes me a few minutes to walk here. It is really good for the elderly. We can learn new things, get exposed to the new technologies and keep up with the rapidly changing world,” Luo Yinfeng said.
Wei Jingran, Xinhua Bookstore’s operating director in Guizhou, says that the aim of social benefits is behind the store’s creation. He sees the store as a means of providing a convenient service for people. “Next, we will focus on opening unstaffed bookstores by making them into new local landmarks and popularizing them on the Internet,” Wei said.
【小题1】How might Chen Wentao like the bookstore?| A．Satisfied. | B．Helpless. | C．Common. |
| A．研究 | B．推广 | C．接触 |
| A．To spread the new technology. |
| B．To call on people to read more books. |
| C．To provide the public with good services. |
| A．How to run a bookstore online. |
| B．The introduction of the special bookstore. |
| C．The popularity of the new technology. |
