Since the 1980s, the Chinese government has made an effort to build public libraries all across the country. There are now more than 200,000 public libraries in China. Like American public library systems, many local Chinese library systems have one big library in each county, and smaller libraries in towns. Major cities often have enormous libraries that hold millions of volumes. If you're interested in Chinese history, you may want to visit a library in a large city, such as Shanghai or Beijing. These libraries often have archives with materials hundreds or thousands of years old. Shanghai Library is the nation's largest library. Visit its site to see some of the services and amazing artifacts it offers. LibWeb maintains a list of major Chinese libraries; you may want to explore some of their Web sites to see what services are offered.
Some aspects of Chinese libraries will seem unfamiliar to you. It can be difficult to find information about your local library online. Few local library associations currently have Web sites. Try asking Chinese classmates or looking in the local telephone book for advice on finding and using your library.
Chinese public libraries often charge small fees for services. Generally you will not be charged a fee for each item you check out. More likely, you will have to pay a monthly or yearly fee for your library card, as well as additional fees to use reading rooms, reference services, and so on. Make sure you understand the fee structure before using the library.
