A Branch National Library for Chinese ancient books opened here
Friday at Wenjin street in Beijing, with more than 2.6 million
volumes on the shelf.
According to an official with the National Library, among the
2.6 million volumes, rare editions of ancient books total 270,000
volumes, common editions 1.64 million volumes, and specially
collected documents over 700,000 volumes.
The collection of the library can be ranked as the number one
nationwide in terms of quantity, quality and content, he
acknowledged.
In recent years, he said, the National Library has enhanced the
research and collection of the ancient books and has launched a
program to make a digital record of the ancient books. A number of
editions, such as stone inscriptions on Dunhuang and Xixia
(1032-1227) heritage have been transformed in digital material and
made public to readerships online.
The building of the library for ancient books collection,
founded in 1931, is now designated as a relic protection in
Beijing.
(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2006)
