Shanghai Library

Shanghai Library houses over 13 million volumes, ranking second in the nation and among the top ten [...]

Shanghai Library houses over 13 million volumes, ranking second in the nation and among the top ten libraries globally. It is renowned for its collection of family genealogies, letters, modern Chinese and English newspapers, and rubbings. Additionally, it archives a selection of ancient and modern music, opera records, and audio tapes from both Chinese and foreign sources.
Equipped with an advanced computer management system, borrowing books is facilitated through computers, with automated carts delivering them from the stacks to readers. The library features over 20 large-scale specialized reading rooms, including those for ancient books, documents, comprehensive materials, newspapers, and social sciences, with more than 3,000 seats. It also boasts supporting facilities such as a catalog hall, bookstore, restaurant, bar, exhibition hall, video hall, and conference hall.

Shanghai Library was established in 1952, originally located at the intersection of Nanjing Road and Huangpi Road. In 1996, a new building was completed on Middle Huaihai Road. The new premises cover an area of 3.1 hectares with a construction area of 83,000 square meters and a book storage area of 40,000 square meters. The main building consists of two high-rise structures and a podium, with the eastern and western buildings presenting a multi-tiered block shape, symbolizing the solid foundation of cultural accumulation and the continuous pursuit of knowledge by humanity. Among the vast collection of Chinese and foreign books and materials, many are valuable revolutionary documents, such as ‘On Protracted War’, ‘New Democracy’, and ‘Awakening’ magazine.

Opening hours are from 13:30 to 17:00 on Mondays and from 09:00 to 17:00 from Tuesdays to Sundays. The card issuance office, collection reading room, Chinese social science periodical room, Chinese science and technology periodical room, foreign social science periodical room, foreign science and technology periodical room, modern and local documents reading room, and ancient books and genealogy reading room are open from 13:30 to 17:00 on Mondays and from 09:00 to 17:00 from Tuesdays to Sundays.

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The comprehensive reading room, research room, social science book room, science and technology book room, and newspaper and magazine room are open from 13:30 to 20:30 on Mondays and from 09:00 to 20:30 from Tuesdays to Sundays. The comprehensive checkout counter, reference book room, special document service point, and basic collection newspaper and periodical service point are open from 09:00 to 17:00 from Tuesdays to Sundays.

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The specific business status is subject to the daily opening situation.

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