In the afternoon of June 5, 2025, Ms. Luisa Elena MENGONI, Head of the Asia and Africa Department at the British Library, and Ms. Melodie DOUMY, Manager of the International Dunhuang Project (IDP), visited the Shanghai Library East.
Ms. YANG Chunhua, Secretary of the Shanghai Library Communist Party Committee, warmly welcomed the guests in the VIP room of the Reading Theater. Both parties fondly recalled the Shanghai Library delegation’s participation in the China-UK Library Forum last year and expressed delight at reuniting. Ms. MENGONI told us that Rebecca LAWRENCE succeeded Sir Roly KEATING as Chief Executive of the British Library on January 2, 2025, noting Ms. LAWRENCE’s strong commitment to international communication and plans to visit China next year. Secretary YANG Chunhua extended an invitation for Ms. LAWRENCE and British Library colleagues to attend the 13th Shanghai International Library Forum next year and expressed hopes for deeper and more collaboration between the two institutions. Following the meeting, the delegation led by Ms. Luisa Elena MENGONI toured key areas of the library, including the first-floor atrium, third-floor Reading Plaza, and seventh-floor Treasured Collections Library, as well as the immersive exhibition "Millennium Pact: Dreamscape Journey," accompanied by staff from the Historical Documents Center, Reading Promotion Center, and Cooperation and Exchange Department of the library.
The visitors were deeply impressed by the architectural design and facilities of the Shanghai Library East, and particularly praised its digital collection initiatives and reader-friendly services. Before departing, they activated commemorative Shanghai Library reader cards at the first-floor service desk, which enables remote access to the library’s e-resources even from London. They were amazed by the efficiency of the process and emphasized how these resources would significantly support their research.
