Zhejiang Library (Chinese: 浙江图书馆), sometimes abbreviated as Zhetu (浙图), is a public library in Hangzhou, China. Founded in 1900 during the Qing dynasty, it is among the earliest provincial public libraries in China. It is designated a National First-Class Library and a National Key Ancient Books Preservation and Conservation Institution [zh] by the Chinese government. As of 2023, its main facility at the Zhijiang Cultural Center has a building area of 42,000 square meters and a collection of 6.73 million volumes.[1]

History

The library was established in November 1900 during the 26th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, initiated by Hangzhou gentry including Shao Zhang [zh] and Hu Huan. They gained approval from Prefect Zhu Qifeng [zh] to open the Hangzhou Library at the former Dongcheng Lecture Hall site, offering free access to local scholars. It began with 718 titles and 9,499 volumes.[2]: 2–3  In 1903, Governor Nie Jigui [zh] transformed it into a government-run institution named Zhejiang Library, expanding the collection to 35,000 volumes.[2]: 4–5 

In 1909, during the Qing’s Preparative Constitutionalism, Governor Zeng Yun [zh] merged it with the Zhejiang Official Printing Bureau, relocating it near Wenlan Pavilion.[3] By 1911, the Siku Quanshu from Wenlan Pavilion was transferred to the library.[3] In 1912, during the Republic of China, the Gushan branch opened, and the library was renamed Zhejiang Provincial Library in 1913.[2]: 9 

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the library moved several times—Jiande (1937), Yongkang (1938), and Lishui (1941)—to protect its collection, including the Siku Quanshu, which was sent to Chongqing. It returned to Hangzhou in 1945.[2]: 43  In 1951, the Jiayetang Library collection merged with it, and in 1998, a new main building opened on Shuguang Road.[4] The Zhijiang branch opened in August 2023 within the Zhijiang Cultural Center.[5]

Facilities

The library operates various facilities in Hangzhou and Huzhou:

  • Shuguang Road (Main Library): Located at No. 73 Shuguang Road, Xihu District, it spans 34,000 square meters and can hold 4.5 million volumes.[6]
  • Gushan Road (Ancient Books Division): At No. 28 Gushan Road, it includes the White Pavilion (built 1911–1912) and Red Pavilion for pre-1949 materials.[7]
  • University Road: At No. 102 University Road, Shangcheng District, it serves as a reading room, built in 1929–1931.[8]
  • Jiayetang Library: In Nanxun, it preserves historical collections.[4]
  • The Zhijiang branch, opened in 2023, currently holds 300,000 volumes, with plans to expand to 6 million.[5]

Collection

The library’s collection exceeds 6.73 million volumes, including the Siku Quanshu Wenlan Pavilion edition and rare editions from the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties.[4] It also holds Dunhuang manuscripts and foreign editions from Japan and Korea.[9]

Research and Publishing

The library has published journals such as Wenlan Journal and Library Outlook since 1935, focusing on traditional scholarship and general readership, respectively.[10] In 1936, it hosted the Zhejiang Document Exhibition, displaying over 20,000 items.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Zhèjiāng wénhuà xīn dìbiāo zhī jiāng wénhuà zhōngxīn qǐyòng" 浙江文化新地标之江文化中心启用 [Zhejiang's New Cultural Landmark Zhijiang Cultural Center Opens]. Ministry of Culture and Tourism (in Chinese). 2023-08-31. Archived from the original on 2024-05-13.
  2. ^ a b c d "Zhèjiāng Túshūguǎn Jiànguǎn 110 Zhōunián Zhǔtí Zhǎn" 浙江图书馆建馆110周年主题展 [Zhejiang Library 110th Anniversary Theme Exhibition]. Zhejiang Library (in Chinese). n.d. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25.
  3. ^ a b Wu Yuliang (2012). "Zhèjiāng túshūguǎn de yángé shùlüè (1900 nián ~ 1949 nián)" 浙江图书馆的沿革述略（1900年~1949年） [A Brief History of the Zhejiang Library (1900–1949)]. Henan Library Science Journal. 32 (5). ISSN 1003-1588.
  4. ^ a b c "Zhèjiāng Túshūguǎn" 浙江图书馆 [Zhejiang Library]. Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  5. ^ a b "Zhèjiāng wénhuà xīn dìbiāo zhī jiāng wénhuà zhōngxīn qǐyòng" 浙江文化新地标之江文化中心启用 [Zhejiang's New Cultural Landmark Zhijiang Cultural Center Opens]. Ministry of Culture and Tourism (in Chinese). 2023-08-31. Archived from the original on 2024-05-13.
  6. ^ Ying Changxing; Lin Zuzao (2002). "Zhèjiāng Shěng Túshūguǎn de Jiànzhú Tèsè" 浙江省图书馆的建筑特色 [Architectural Features of the Zhejiang Provincial Library]. Southern Architecture. 4. ISSN 1000-0232.
  7. ^ Han Bin (2011-05-19). "Gūshān Lù 28 Hào, Yīzuò Chéngshì de Jīngshén Guǐjì" 孤山路28号，一座城市的精神轨迹 [No. 28 Gushan Road, the Spiritual Traces of a City]. Hangzhou Daily (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2019-06-09.
  8. ^ Fu Hongming (2000). "Zhèjiāng Túshūguǎn Dàxué Lù Guǎnshè" 浙江图书馆大学路馆舍 [Zhejiang Library University Road Facility]. Special Edition. Zhejiang Architecture.
  9. ^ Ding Hong; Cheng Xiaolan (2002). "Zhèjiāng Túshūguǎn de Lìshǐ Wénxiàn Shōucáng jí Qí Tèsè" 浙江图书馆的历史文献收藏及其特色 [The Historical Document Collection and Characteristics of Zhejiang Library]. Library Work and Research. 1: 34–37. doi:10.16384/j.cnki.lwas.2002.01.012. ISSN 1005-6610.
  10. ^ Xie Zhouhua (2006). "Èrshí Shìjì Shàngbànyè Zhèjiāng Túshūguǎn Guǎnkān de Lìshǐ Dìwèi" 二十世纪上半叶浙江图书馆馆刊的历史地位 [The Historical Status of Zhejiang Library Journals in the First Half of the 20th Century]. Library Research and Work. 1. ISSN 2096-2363.
  11. ^ Yuan Yi (2007). "Bǎinián Cāngsāng Zhēng Diǎnjí" 百年沧桑征典籍 [A Century of Changes in the Collection of Classics]. Library Research and Work. 2.
Allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhejiang_Library
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