The Branch Library at Wenjin Street

  The Branch Library of NLC at Wenjin Street is located beside the Beihai Lake, with a total floor space of 30,000 square meters. After the completion of the main building 1931, the library became the largest well-equipped library in China. Since then, it has played a special role in the development of modern librarianship in China. The Branch Library was reopened in January 1, 2001, after the restoration since 1997.
  The Branch Library has a collection of 2 million volumes/items, among which are 1.64 million volumes of ancient Chinese books, more than 10,000 titles of local records, 3,000 titles of genealogies and 300,000 volumes/items of government publications, yearbooks, electronic publications, etc.
  The Branch Library has a tradition of serving the society, serving the public and recording and promoting civilization and knowledge. The reopened Branch Library has a dozen of reading rooms and service points, including Reading Room of General Ancient Books, Reading Room of Local Records and Genealogies, Reading and Lending Room of Chinese Books, Reading Room of Chinese Periodicals, Reading Room of Government Publications, Children's Reading Room, Reading Room for Physically Handicapped, Electronic Reading Room, A/V Room, Self-Study Room, Conference Hall, NLC History Display Room, providing reading, lending, reference, computer retrieval, Internet search, photocopying, photography and scanning services, and organizing exhibitions, lectures, training courses, etc.
  After the restoration, the Branch Library fully keeps the traditional architectural style, utilizes modern information technology and advanced management ideas, and integrates the ancient and modern civilizations.