Urban residents and public libraries commonly donate books to farmers. Usually, these books concern scientific knowledge and agricultural production techniques. However, with the improvement of farmers' living standards, their interests in books have extended to a wider range of subjects.

An article in the People's Daily says that book donors should take the diversified needs of rural readers into consideration when selecting books for villagers.

The newspaper notes that more and more farmers are beginning to take an interest in sports. As the Beijing Olympics is just around the corner, they are also thirsty for Olympic-related knowledge. Rural residents are also in need of books on entertainment, such as tourism and fashion.

In light of this situation, the newspaper suggests that urban residents change their traditional attitudes toward the reading habits of farmers. It concludes by stressing that book donors should keep pace with the changing needs of rural readers and accordingly, bring them useful books.