Xu Tong, an ancient book restorer from Chongqing Library in Southwest China’s Chongqing, teaches students how to bind traditional Chinese thread-bound books at Chongqing University. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Chongqing University, in Southwest China’s Chongqing, hosted an ancient book restoration fair on Sunday to celebrate this year’s World Book Day, which falls on Tuesday.
The university invited Xu Tong, an ancient book restorer from Chongqing Library, to campus to teach students how to bind traditional Chinese thread-bound books.
According to Xu, there are approximately 530,000 ancient books in the Chongqing Library, many of which have endured weathering and insect damage during long-term circulation and preservation — especially in a city with a humid climate like Chongqing.
She joked she and the other 10 ancient book restorers at the library would need more than two lifetimes to restore the library’s collection completely.
She noted that although many higher institutions in the country offer courses related to her industry, there is still a large talent gap. “I hope more college graduates will engage in ancient book restoration in the future,” she said.