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Ningbo City Library has added a new book sterilization machine—readers can use it free of charge.
Release date:
2019-11-13
People who frequent the library often encounter this awkward situation: while they can still tolerate a worn‑out spine or torn cover on a bestseller, the sheer number of stains scattered across the pages of some books makes it hard to even open them—no wonder the first thing most people do upon leaving the library is wash their hands.
However, during this period, readers visiting the Children’s Library at the Ningbo Municipal Library may have noticed a refrigerator‑like machine in the on‑floor Document Lending Center, available for self‑service and free of charge. From the outside, it… “Unremarkable in appearance,” yet it possesses a “remarkable knack”—it can render the bacteria in books.
Yesterday afternoon, the editor found this book sterilization machine in the library. The machine is approximately… Standing 1.4 meters tall, the upper section can be opened and is fitted with a black handle; a user manual is affixed to the upper-left corner. Were it not for the words “Self-Service Book Sterilizer” printed on the machine, passersby might mistake it for a small refrigerator meant to cool down during the summer.
The editor first picked a book with rather grimy-looking pages from the shelf. When opening the upper protective door of the sterilizer, the handle pulled up just as easily as on a standard refrigerator, and a fresh, pleasant fragrance wafted out.
There is an inverted one located at the center-rear of the machine. A “U”-shaped bracket holds the book open and upright. Close the protective door, press the button, and the sterilization unit starts operating. Blue light emanates from inside the door; through the glass window, you can see the book’s pages trembling slightly as they remain open. After 30 seconds, the sterilization cycle is complete.
The editor also noticed that, After “dry cleaning,” the pages are indeed noticeably cleaner than before, and the books carry a subtle, fresh fragrance, making them a pleasure to read. This machine employs ultraviolet sterilization to achieve disinfection. Given the high usage rates of library books, their pages inevitably accumulate numerous bacteria—such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Moraxella catarrhalis—posing potential hygiene risks. Therefore, using a book‑sterilizing device to give heavily soiled volumes a thorough “wash” can help readers feel more at ease while browsing.
According to library staff, the machine was manufactured by Hangzhou Funo Technology Co., Ltd. After being placed here for some time, it has gained increasing acceptance among readers, with many eagerly depositing their books inside for disinfection. “This also helps maintain both the reader’s personal hygiene and the book’s cleanliness.”
Phone:+86 183-6818-8833
Phone:+86 158-5710-4888
+86 183-6818-8833
+86 158-5710-4888