Over 500 libraries have been established in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, according to Xinhua.

The monastery libraries collect books on Buddhist scriptures, Tibetan language, laws and regulations, popular science, literatures and arts.

Since last year, the regional government in Tibet has launched a whole package of construction programs for Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, with the library project included. So far, the libraries have become a popular facility for religious practioners within the monastery.

The regional government plans to build 1200 more libraries for other monasteries in later 2012 and the next year.

Tibetan Buddhist monks of Ganden Monastery were reading in the monastery library, April 10, 2012. This monastery is over 60 kms from Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. [Photo/China Tibet Online] 

A nun enjoyed reading in the monastery library in Negodong Nun Monastery which is situated in the outskirts of Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 20, 2012. [Photo/Chogo of Xinhua]