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034 Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.10, 2018

In the legalization process, the relationship between the NLC and public libraries was discussed
fully. On the basis of actual conditions and international experience, the PLL addresses three
issues about the NLC (Article 22). Firstly, the establishing body of the NLC is the central
government. Secondly, the main functions of the NLC include strategic conservation of national
documental information, national bibliography, union catalog, service for national legalization and
decision, organizing preservation of ancient books, carrying on library research and international
communication and supporting other libraries in operation and techniques. Strategic conservation
of national documental information emphasizes that collection in the NLC is of strategic
importance to conserving national memory, supporting national economic and social development
and maintaining cultural safety. The NLC is the depository of national documental information.
Organizing preservation of ancient books is a special function with Chinese characteristics. The
history of Chinese character has lasted for 3,000 years and the number of ancient books is the
greatest in the world. 200,000 titles were collected in the Chinese Ancient Books Collection.
Preservation and utilization of ancient books concerns inheriting excellent traditional culture and
cultivating ethos. On the basis of existing preservation experience, the PLL prescribes that the
NLC has the function of organizing ancient books preservation, which is the legal basis of national
planning, making an inventory of collections, tailored guidance, careful protection and sustainable
utilization. It is the first time in terms of law to clearly prescribe that the NLC has the function of
public library. The provision makes clear the NLC’s legal responsibility to provide public services
and also provides a legal basis for the NLC fulfilling the leading role for public libraries.

8.2 Publication deposit system

The PLL prescribes a publication deposit system which is closely related to the NLC. Publishers
deposit publications to legal deposit institutions for the conservation of national cultural heritage
and utilization of documental information. Therefore, publication deposit system is of significance
to achieve strategic conservation of national documental information. At present, over 100
countries and regions in the world have established deposit system (Encyclopedia of China
editorial board, 2009), which is legalized in some countries. In the early 1950s, the government
in China collected samples of books and journals. The Regulation on the Administration of
Publication was issued by the State Council in 2001 and revised in 2016. According to the
Regulation, publishers should deposit publications at the NLC, China Archives of Publications
and the administrative department in charge of publications (Regulation on the administration
of publications, 2016). Since the late 1990s, some provinces and cities such as Shenzhen, Inner
Mongolia, Hubei, Beijing, Henan, Shanghai and Zhejiang have also incorporated publication
deposit into local public library regulations. Based on experience and problems encountered, the
PLL make corresponding provisions (Article 26) concluded into three main aspects: ① publishers
should fulfill the obligation to deposit publications in public libraries specified by the law;