Libraries have played an important role in modernizing China. Early 20th century saw the opening of the first public libraries and a move away from traditional Confucian teachings. During the Republic of China period from 1912-1949, mass education and nationalism drove the growth of public libraries. Mao Zedong himself worked in a university library as a young man. The American Library Association helped establish the Chinese Library Association and advised on using funds to build public libraries. However, many libraries were destroyed during the war with Japan and civil war. Under Mao, libraries focused on spreading communist ideology but saw rapid growth. The Cultural Revolution negatively impacted libraries but post-1976 reforms helped libraries recover and modernize to support China's growing economy

1. LIBRARIES IN MODERN CHINAKimberly Reed THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA 1912-1949 THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA 1949-2009

2. Early 20th Century, Qing for Change Official testing of scholars in traditional Confucian teachings ended in 1905. A modern examination system was instituted. 1905-1911 thousands of schools opened. 1905 the first public library in China opened in Hunan; in 1909 Metropolitan library in Beijing; many public regional libraries opened after this time, basis for a modern library system.

3. Min Guo Period 1911-1949 Creation of modern library for the masses under the Republic of China, led by U.S. supported Sun-YatSen from 1912 Forces driving library use during this time: Mass education movement, improved literacy Need for educated workforce in urban economies Nationalism and the Chinese perception of threat from Japan, revalued colloquial Chinese dialects Popular poetry and arts flourished in vernacular

4. Mao, Librarian & Clerk From 1918- 1919 Mao Zhe-dong worked in the library at the University of Beijing Head librarian Li Da-zhao was China’s leading Marxist. He strongly influenced the young Mao, introducing him to a wide range of socialist literature and ideas. Da-zhaoused the Dewey decimal system in the Beijing library. He taught Mao that literacy and the open library are essential to building socialism.

5. Mary Elizabeth Wood American missionary & educator opened the first public school library in 1910, open to the public; created a network of public reading rooms and traveling libraries that served factory worker communities. She also used the Dewey system. Sent two Chinese students to library school in US, preparing them for leadership in China Established the Boone U. Library School in 1920, trained librarians for Chinese public schools

6. American Library Association in China 1924 Mary Wood traveled to Washington & convinced the President to give the Boxer Indemnity ($ paid by China to Western powers), back to China for construction of public libraries. Congress approved $12mil. CLA Chinese Library Assoc. f to meet ALA ALA representative Arthur Bostwicktoured 14 Chinese cities in 1925, advising about how to use of the Boxer Indemnity grant money.

7. War Against Japan & Civil War 1937-1949 1935-1949 Civil War-Revolution Many libraries were destroyed. Some collections were moved to Taiwan, or to the U.S. LOC, never to be returned to mainland Chinese libraries. Academic libraries lost 2.8 out of 5.9 million volumes (1939 survey). Irreplaceable losses. Over 90% of libraries in universities, colleges, technical institutions were occupied, damaged or destroyed by the Japanese from 1937-1941.

8. Mao’s Peoples Republic 1949-1966 Libraries are tools in the class struggle, cultural institutions to educate the people in patriotism, socialism and service to the Communist party. Literacy is in service to the people. Rapid expansion in number of places called libraries carrying publications propagandizing Marxist Leninism-”Street libraries” & reading centers-”donation of 1 book per household” Socialism=literacy for the workers & peasants.

9. Chinese Library Classification CLC Built on a five division system deviating from the Dewey decimal system, started 1953, pub. 1975 Marxism-Leninism Philosophy Natural sciences Social sciences Generalia Use unlimited classes and subdivisions

11. The Cultural Revolution 1966-76 Libraries denounced for holding books and items regarded as “feudalism, capitalism, and revisionism.” Librarians reassigned to non-library jobs Thousands of items burned or locked up Library science declared not a science; libraries are to serve the people’s education in propaganda, deep hatred of outside influence

12. Libraries for Modernization 1976-1992 With the fall of the Gang of Four, China had to recover from a period of enforced ignorance and loss of professional expertise and staff 1978 China adopted Open Door Policy Emphasis on production, modernization and the need for information sharing-Science Reaffirmed the NBCA of 1957 1979 China Society of Library Science-joined IFLA International Federation of Library Assoc.

13. Libraries for the Market Economy 1980s & 1990s Libraries still cannot meet the growing demand to share information quickly-government budgets, recession prone Years of abuse and reassignment created a long term shortage in trained librarians Library directors throughout Chinese history tend to be retired government or University officials 1989 CN MARC widely adopted CERNET-China Education Research Network 1993-to connect all the libraries in China

14. Global Economy & Information Sharing Growing the support and network bases for research in science and industry have created momentum for the total reconstruction and building of a world class library system Government support, professional staff, number of libraries at all levels have increased exponentially Internet has integrated China into the global community, attempts to limit or censure fail

15. Current site for the National Library of China in Beijing (25 mil volumes+) is celebrating its pre-revolutionary origins. Laws and periodicals of the Min Guo period, between Qing Dynasty and PRC are available. Artifacts like oracle bones and artwork are featured. Chinese culture is not limited to the People’s Republic or People’s Revolution Today, a Renaissance and Explosion in Chinese cultural production and collection building.

17. Ming-yuehTsay. The influence of the American Library Association on Modern Chinese librarianship 1924-1949. Asian Libraries Vol. 8 No. 8 1999, pp. 275-288.

18. Yang Zongying, Lin Haoming and ZhengQiaoying. The China Education Research Network (CERNET) and library services. Asian Libraries Vol. 7 No. 9 1998, pp. 210-214.

19. Sharon Chien Lin, Libraries and Librarianship in China. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998.