Shanghai libraries and study spaces

Shanghai Library East — the must-visit

• What it is: 上海图书馆东馆 (Shanghai Library East) opened in 2022 in Pudong — a stunning, sculptural building and one of the largest libraries in the world, with millions of books across reading rooms, exhibitions and study halls.
• Entry: free, but book a slot in advance via the library's WeChat official account (上海图书馆) or mini-program — slots are free and released ahead of time.
• Getting there: near the Pudong riverfront, metro-accessible (Line 2 to 上海科技馆/世纪大道 area). Bring your passport for entry registration.
• Inside: silent study floors, a huge children's library, exhibitions, and panoramic views from the upper reading floors.

Shanghai Library (main) and district libraries

• Shanghai Library main (上海图书馆淮海中路馆): the historic flagship in Puxi, with vast collections and long opening hours — free to enter, air-conditioned, excellent for studying.
• District libraries: every district runs free public libraries (徐汇区图书馆, 浦东图书馆, 静安区图书馆...) — quieter than the big two, often closer to home, and all free.
• 浦东图书馆 is notably large and modern; 徐汇区图书馆 (徐家汇) sits in the historic Xujiahui complex.
• Opening hours: typically 9:00-21:00 (some close earlier); most close one day per week (often Monday). Check the specific library's hours.

Getting a reader card with a passport

1. Bring your passport

   Reader cards are issued on the spot with a passport at any major library's registration desk. No residence permit required for reading access.

2. Free reading, deposit for borrowing

   Reading inside is free. To borrow books, most libraries ask a refundable deposit (¥50-200) and register your card to a Chinese phone number.

3. One card, many libraries

   Shanghai's reader card works across the city's library network — borrow at one branch, return at another. Books returned to any participating branch.

English books and foreign-language collections

• Shanghai Library and the East library both hold large English and foreign-language collections — literature, reference, magazines — mostly on the upper floors.
• 徐家汇书院 (Xujiahui Library), the beautiful restored historical library, has a strong foreign-language section and is worth a visit for its architecture alone.
• Foreign-language periodicals: the main library carries international newspapers and journals.
• For new English books: 上海外文书店 (Foreign Language Bookstore, Fuzhou Road) and expat moving sales (see the secondhand guide) are better than libraries for brand-new titles.

Other study spaces

• Bookstores with cafés: 茑屋书店 (TSUTAYA Books) in the former Columbia Circle, 钟书阁 (Zhongshuge) with its dramatic interiors, and 思南书局 (Sinan Books) — all have café seating for reading and laptop work.
• Co-working: WeWork, 氪空间 and local brands rent desks by the hour/day/month; prices from ~¥50/day in shared areas.
• Café culture: see the coffee guide — Shanghai cafés are laptop-friendly and plentiful.
• University spaces: Fudan and SJTU campuses have quiet corners and bookstores open to visitors (bring ID); campus libraries are for students.