Hangzhou Public Library leaves door open to beggars  

杭州图书馆10年不拒乞丐 馆长称借此传递人人平等

Citizens read in the Hangzhou Public Library.[Photo:China.org.cn]

Hangzhou (ECNS) – Although citizens in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, complained about the increasing number of beggars using the city's public library, its curator refused to shut them out.

"I have no right to keep them away from the library, but you have the right to leave," Chu Shuqing said.

Hangzhou Public Library has been open free to the public for over 10 years. In the summer, many disadvantaged people, including beggars and migrant workers, use the library. Some of them come to read, and some just to cool off.

"The only request for them is to wash their hands before picking up books," said Chu on Friday. "For the disadvantaged, the library may be the only institution that closes the learning gap with the wealthy."

Some citizens said they couldn't condone the library's policy. But Chu said he wanted to show that all human beings are created equal.