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012 Journal of Library Science in China, Vol. 7, 2015

exists both consistency and discrepancy between the historic periodization of Chinese librarianship
and Chinese history. The periodization of the Chinese library should not only consider the
general rules of historic periodization, but also involve the specialized characteristics of Chinese
librarianship. In this case, both similarities and diversities can be considered fully. Also, the
political, economic, technological factors as well as the characteristics of libraries should all be
taken into consideration (Xiao, 2015). Consequently, after an integrated analysis of general history
and library development, the History of the Chinese library divides Chinese library development
into the following three periods, namely, the ancient book collection (from the pre-Qin Dynasty to
the mid-Qing Dynasty), modern library (from the late-Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China), and
the contemporary library (since 1949). Specifically, it is worth mentioning that the Qing Dynasty
experienced a gradual improvement of ancient book collection and the modern library stemmed
from Lin Zexu’s translation and introduction of western concepts of library into China before the
Opium War, and the contemporary library period started from the establishment of the People’s
Republic of China in 1949. In short, this periodization was developed with full consideration of the
intrinsic rules and external historical context. Firstly, the period from the pre-Qin Dynasty to the
Qing Dynasty experienced the rise, development and maturation of ancient book collection. During
this period, official book collection, private book collection, academic book collection as well as
monastery book collection had all been emerged in China, which was obviously different from
the concept of library thereafter. Secondly, in the late-Qing Dynasty, concepts, technologies and
methodologies developed and applied in western libraries were introduced to China. Nevertheless,
with the substantial development of the modern libraries in China, ancient bibliotheca and the
indigenous tradition of book collection were in gradual recession. The emergence of modern
libraries in China can be regarded as the most significant change in the history of library
development in China. From the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, China
experienced another great social change after the Opium War and libraries were integrated into
the national cultural management system. With careful planning and consistent development,
a complete library system grew gradually. With well-rounded and perfected construction, the
Chinese library system has become more mature than ever before, let alone the application of
advanced technologies since 1990s.
On the basis of the identification of these three main periods and the full consideration of library
development in each period, the history of the Chinese library can be explored and categorized in
more depth. Therefore, the ancient book collection can be divided into seven periods: the pre-Qin
and Han Dynasties, the South and North Dynasties, the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties, the Song
Dynasty, the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Xi Xia and Yuan Dynasties, the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty.
Although the time span of modern library only occupies a relatively small proportion of the whole
history, it is a turning point of Chinese library to function modernly. Likewise, from the aspect
of social development, library and society are closely related. In this regard, the History of the
Chinese library successfully combines social changes with the development of library. Hence, it