Zhejiang University Library: Where knowledge meets creation

Zhang's project is part of a vibe-coding application development workshop cocreated by the library and its students, reflecting a broader shift in how the university library is being used — from a repository of knowledge to a platform where students can experiment, collaborate and create.

"Beyond traditional functions such as borrowing books and self-study, we want to put the 'stage' in students' hands and help them move from 'readers' to 'creators'," says Wang Yuan, Party secretary and deputy director of Zhejiang University Library.

The change is rooted in a simple idea: giving students more than just access to knowledge.

Yang Xing, a doctoral student at Zhejiang University's School of Marxism and lead instructor of the workshop, says many students outside computer-related disciplines already know how to use conversational AI, but mainly for asking questions or generating content.

The workshop aims to help them turn real-world needs into practical tools and complete the transition from "knowing how to use AI" to "using AI to create".