Shanghai Book Fair's Free Foreign-Language Borrowing Draws Crowds

A free book-borrowing initiative has become a major attraction at the 2026 Shanghai Book Fair, drawing readers eager to take home newly published foreign-language titles without spending a rupee. The service, known as "You Choose, We Pay," operates at the fair's main venue, the Shanghai Exhibition Center, where visitors can select brand-new books and borrow them on the spot using their library cards or student IDs.

On the first day, the booth was bustling with families. One resident, Ms. Liu, arrived with her two sons and had already picked out 30 children's books by 10 a.m., filling a rolling suitcase to capacity. She noted that buying the books individually would have cost around 60 to 70 yuan each, making the free service a significant saving. Another reader, who borrowed 45 books in a single visit, described the trip as highly rewarding.

The program, launched jointly by the Shanghai Library and the Shanghai Foreign Language Book Company in 2015, has grown considerably. The number of available titles has expanded from 240 in its first year to over 2,400 this year. In response to growing interest from younger readers, more than 100 new foreign-language titles for teenagers were added to the 2026 selection.

Regular attendees see the service as a cultural bridge. Ms. Hu, a three-year veteran of the event, said it opens a cultural gateway for readers, putting great foreign-language books within easy reach. Ms. Chen, another visitor, appreciated the access to new publications, noting that it feels like reading the same books as children overseas at the same time.

To ensure a smooth process, librarians cataloged the books before the fair. At the venue, staff stamped each selected book with the library's collection mark before handing it over. The service is part of the Shanghai Library's broader effort to make public cultural services more accessible and responsive to reader needs.