Shanghai Library
| Shanghai Library | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Established | 1847 |
| Location |
Shanghai,  China |
| Branches | n/a |
| Collection | |
| Size |
1.7 million ancient Chinese books 50.95 million items |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | n/a |
| Population served | members of the public |
| Other information | |
| Budget | n/a |
| Director | Wu Jianzhong |
| Staff | n/a |
| Website | http://www.library.sh.cn/english/ |
Shanghai Library (Simplified Chinese: 上海图书馆; Pinyin:Shànghǎi túshūguǎn) is the second largest library in China after the National Library of China in Beijing. It is located in Shanghai, China. At 24 stories and 348 feet (106 m) tall, it is the tallest library in the world, as well as one of the largest.[1] The building has a tower that looks like a giant lighthouse.
Early history
The first library in Shanghai was built in 1847, as the Bibliotheque de Mission (of the Jesuit mission in Zikawei), now the Bilbiotheca Zikawei, a branch of the Shanghai Library. In 1925, Shanghai East Library, the first library run by Chinese, was opened.
In 1950, the Shanghai Cultural Heritage Managing Committee launched a campaign to collect books and after about a year, the collection grew to more than 200,000 volumes. Many scholars and celebrities contributed and some of them made large donations. The committee also started to buy books from abroad.
Merge
The first large municipal public library was founded in Shanghai on July 22, 1952. The library had a collection of more than 700,000 volumes. Shanghai Library merged with the Shanghai Municipal Library of Science and Technology, the Shanghai Municipal Library of Historical Documents and the Shanghai Newspaper Library in October 1958. It was the second largest comprehensive public library in China, in terms of collection, services and professional expertise.
Library in the modern era
Shanghai Library merged with the Institute of Scientific and Technological Information of Shanghai (ISTIS) in October 1995. It became the first ever library in China that combines public library services with SciTech and industry information research functions.
Today, it is the largest public library in China and one of the ten largest libraries in the world. It was opened to the public on December 20, 1996. It covers 3.1 hectares of land, with a floor space of 83,000 square meters.
Internet access
On the ground floor there is a room with internet access for 4 yuan per hour. The opening hours are everyday from 9 to 20:30.
Location
The Library is located at 1557 Huaihai Zhong Lu, Xuhui District of Shanghai. (Address for locating the Shanghai Library Simplified Chinese: 上海市徐汇区1557淮海中路,复兴中路 Shanghaishi Xuhuiqu 1557 Huaihai Zhong Lu, Fuxingzhong Lu)
See also
- Libraries in the People's Republic of China
- Chinese Library Classification (CLC)
- Archives in the People's Republic of China
References
- ↑ "Shanghai Library at Emporis.com". Retrieved 2009-01-15.
Further reading
- David H. Stam, ed. (2001). International Dictionary of Library Histories. Fitzroy Dearborn. ISBN 1579582443.
External links
Coordinates: 31°12′33″N 121°26′24″E / 31.20917°N 121.44000°E