Many people in Wuxi enjoy reading in their spare time. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Wuxi, a city in East China's Jiangsu province, launched a "reading month" campaign to encourage people to read more, and the 26th World Book and Copyright Day were celebrated on April 23.

A series of events including reading exhibitions, online reading salons, and storytelling competitions are scheduled to be held during the one-month campaign.

Official data shows 96.34 percent of Wuxi residents read, and many people enjoy reading in their spare time.

Wuxi is home to a number of bookstores and public libraries, some open for 24 hours. The Nan Shu Fang bookstore located next to Nanchang Street, a popular local tourist destination, is a popular 24-hour self-service public library.

People can enter the library with a Liangxi Library card or an ID card. Borrowing and returning books must be done at the self-service machine.

Over 800 bookstores and academies were built in Wuxi in ancient times, including Donglin Academy and Erquan Academy.

Donglin Academy, with its charming stone memorial archway, is among the city's most iconic places, and in 2006, it was named a National Key Relics Conservation Unit by the State Council, China's Cabinet.