Harbin library offers germ-free books

[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A library in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, is offering bookworms "worm-free books" with the installation of three self-service disinfection cabinets.

By using ultraviolet light, the machines, 1.4 meters high and resembling refrigerators, are easy to operate and give books a pleasant smell after 30 seconds of thorough disinfection.

"Books in a public library are more likely to harbor bacteria with their higher frequency of usage," said Li Yuxuan, a library staff member.

"The ultraviolet light is believed to effectively remove a variety of bacteria," Li added.

The three machines are in the children's book area and the 24-hour reading room, and have been very popular with readers, especially young readers' parents.