Abstract:

[Purpose/Significance] Study tours, as a dynamic integration of education and tourism, represent a significant opportunity for public libraries to innovate their service models and enhance their cultural and educational roles within the framework of cultural tourism integration. This study explores the pathways for public libraries to develop high-quality study tours, which addresses the growing demand for diverse, high-quality social education in the context of China's "cultural confidence" and "national reading" initiatives. Unlike prior studies that focus narrowly on specific library practices or regional cases, this research provides a comprehensive analysis by integrating domestic and international perspectives, we emphasize the strategic role of public libraries in cultural resource transformation. This paper contributes to the academic discourse by proposing actionable frameworks for service innovation. These frameworks position public libraries as pivotal players in advancing cultural education and addressing contemporary societal needs through interdisciplinary collaboration and resource optimization. [Method/Process] Adopting a cultural tourism integration approach, this study employs a multi-method approach that combines a literature review, a comparative case analysis, and an empirical survey to examine the current state of, and challenges to, public library study tour services. The research establishes a theoretical foundation by drawing on policy documents, industry reports, and academic literature to establish a theoretical foundation, and identifies best practices and gaps by analyzing representative domestic and international library cases. Domestic cases span provincial, municipal, and county-level libraries, covering diverse regions and service models, such as digital innovation and regional cultural integration. International cases include libraries in North America, Europe, and Asia, highlighting technological applications and cross-sector collaboration. The comparative analysis focuses on cooperation models, course design, and service mechanisms, supported by empirical data from user feedback and activity records. This approach ensures a robust understanding of practical challenges and opportunities, grounded in both national policy contexts and global experiences. [Results/Conclusions] The study identified key challenges in public library study tour services, including insufficient resource integration, severe homogenization of service formats, lack of evaluation systems, and weak cross-sector collaboration mechanisms. To address these issues, five strategic pathways have been proposed: establishing multi-party collaboration frameworks involving government, schools, and social organizations; creating expert talent pools to enhance service professionalism; developing standardized service guidelines to improve consistency and quality; deepening thematic content by leveraging library collections; and implementing comprehensive feedback and evaluation systems to ensure continuous improvement. These strategies enable public libraries to create distinctive, culturally rich study tour programs that align with regional identities and educational goals. However, there are limitations, such as the scalability of resource-intensive models and the need for ongoing funding. Future research could explore the integration of digital technology, such as AI-driven evaluation systems, and cross-regional collaboration to enhance scalability and inclusivity of public libraries, thereby advancing their role in cultural tourism integration and social education.

Key words: cultural and tourism integration, public library, study tour services, path research, high-quality development