Time of confusion

Libraries are also being visited by young people who are temporarily unemployed, but have not told their families they are out of work.

Most of their parents are from the post-'50s and post-'60s generation, who have been employed and also laid off during their youth, leading to a lack of security. For them, stability is the most important factor, and unemployment resulted in a significant change to their lives.

Gu Jun, a sociology professor at Shanghai University, said: "This generation views the age of 30 as a time for working hard and pursuing goals. However, many young people nowadays reach 30 without having found the right direction for their personal growth and aspirations. For them, turning 30 can be a time of confusion and uncertainty."

However, these young people have some time to do the things they want to do and to step back from a busy high-pressure life, before settling down, Gu added.

Zhong Fei, a 32-year-old from Shanghai who graduated from a leading university in the United States after studying computer science, has visited a library on her own every day since the department at the financial company where she used to work was disbanded last year.

"My family doesn't know that I'm unemployed, so visiting the library is a way to hide this from them. I decided not to tell them I am out of work, because I don't want them to worry about me, as this would only add to my stress," Zhong said.

She visits Pudong Library every weekday and plans to continue doing so until she finds a job.

Zhong typically arrives at the library at about 9 am and leaves between 6 pm and 7 pm. During her visits, she submits job applications, updates her resume, reads a range of books, and prepares for interviews. She is also preparing to pursue a certificate in psychological counseling.

"The library provides a quiet environment that helps me avoid distractions. It means I can focus on my tasks, and it also helps me maintain a sense of routine," she said.