Page 40 - JOURNAL OF LIBRARY SCIENCE IN CHINA 2018 Vol. 43

040 Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.9, 2017

called Central lowland . With the national strategy of revitalizing Central China, the phenomenon
〇a ①
of Central lowland of public librarianship should be attached great importance and effective
actions should be taken.

1 Main manifestations of Central lowland

1.1 Disproportionate resources to the population served

Population in Central China accounts for 37.4% of national population, but public library resources
are disproportionate to the population served. Specifically, in 2015 financial allocation for public
libraries in Central China accounted for 21.9% of the total, funds for books purchasing accounted
for 18.9%, building area accounted for 28.6%, collections accounted for 23.7%, annual increment
〇b ②
of collections accounted for 21.9% and the number of staff accounted for 30.5% . None of the
main indicators of public library development in Central China match up with population served.
Resource occupancy percentage is the basis of service capability. The low level of resource
occupancy reflects that input in public librarianship by governments of all levels are insufficient,
which is an important reason for Central lowland.

1.2 Relatively slow development speed

In the past ten years, the construction of the public cultural service system including the public
librarianship developed rapidly. Public librarianship in Central China has also made rapid
progresses. For example, the financial allocation in 2015 increased by 427% compared to
2010; the number of reader’s cards and visitors increased by 173% and 129%, respectively .
〇c ③
However, the growth rate of main indicators of development is slower than that of the West
(see Table 1).

① This study classifies the Eastern, Central and Western China according to the construction criterion of National Public Cultural
Service System Demonstration Area published by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Finance. Eastern China contains
Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning Province, Shanghai, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Shandong Province,
Guangdong Province. Central China includes Hebei Province, Shanxi Province, Jilin Province, Heilongjiang Province, Anhui
Province, Jiangxi Province, Henan Province, Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Hainan Province; Western China consists of the
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Chongqing, Sichuan Province, Guizhou Province,
Yunnan Province, Xizang Autonomous Region, Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous
Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
② Data sources: The overview of the basic data of Chinese public libraries’ development in 2015. National Library Institute,
2016.8: 16-17.
③ Data sources: The research group of the development of public libraries in Central China. An analysis report on the development
of public libraries in Central China. Hunan Library, 2016.9: 3.