Readers at the Hangzhou Library. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

"Literally speaking, it is the library that has changed the course of my life," said Wang Wei, a 55-year-old man, during a recent interview at the Hangzhou Library.

"I like reading at the library and have been doing it for almost 40 years," Wang said, adding that his house is located just opposite of the Hangzhou Library.

Wang lived on Xinhua Road as a child, which is close to the old Hangzhou Library. He discovered that it was much easier to do his homework and read books at the library rather under the dim light at his home.

"I was like a mouse falling into a vat of rice when I first saw so many books. Gradually, reading has become a passion of mine," he recalled.

Wang started working at a television factory in 1983 after graduating from middle school. Unlike his colleagues who like to relax after work, he usually went to the Hangzhou Library to read instead.

The more he read, the more he wanted to learn, said Wang. Afterwards, he submitted an application and got admitted by a vocational college. Now he teaches application electronics at the Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College.

"If I didn't read, I would have never become a teacher," Wang said, "I am deeply emotionally attached to the library, it is what ultimately changed my destiny."

In recent years, Wang has developed an interest in reading books related to money management and securities.

"Believe me when I say that I have read each and every book about money management and securities at the Hangzhou Library."

According to Wang, he knew little about investing in stocks a decade ago, but now he is an expert.

"The more you learn, the more you will earn", said Wang, adding that his house located on the opposite of the Hangzhou Library was bought using the money he earned through investing in stocks.

Wang's enthusiasm for reading has apparently influenced his son, who is now studying a post-doctoral program at Zhejiang University.