The Shanghai Library was established in 1952. In 1958, the Shanghai Library merged with the Shanghai Science and Technology Library (formerly known as the Mingfu Library), the Shanghai Newspapers and Periodicals Library (formerly known as the Hongying Library), and the Shanghai Historical Documents Library (formerly known as the Hezhong Library), all of which were relatively large at the time, to become a public library second in scale only to the National Library of China. In November of the same year, the Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technical Information was established, marking the beginning of scientific and technical information development in Shanghai. In October 1995, the Shanghai Library and the Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technical Information merged to become a research-oriented public library and a comprehensive information research center.
The Shanghai Library and the Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technical Information is also the center for ancient books preservation and has been awarded the title of National Civilization Unit and Shanghai Civilization Unit. It is also designated as a national postdoctoral research station, the main library of the Shanghai Central Library system, one of the first key think tanks in Shanghai, and "Shanghai Advanced Technology Development Research Center," which is one of the first four major soft science research bases identified by the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. It is a leading institution in the field of intellectual property rights services in Shanghai and serves as a World Intellectual Property Organization technology and innovation support center. As of the end of 2023, the library houses over 58 million Chinese and foreign language books and documents, including rare ancient books, rubbings and letters, manuscripts of famous figures, genealogies and local gazetteers, rare Western publications, phonograph records and musical scores, modern newspapers and periodicals, as well as patents and standards, making it a unique and valuable collection.
The Shanghai Library and Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technical Information has set the goal for the 14th Five-Year Plan period to “comprehensively build a world-class city library and to initially establish a modern library and information service system that matches the status of a socialist modern international metropolis with global influence. Upholding the core values of "leading learning and inspiring wisdom with exquisite services and sincere cooperation", the library's mission is to "cultivate culture and dedicate to excellent knowledge services." It is committed to building a knowledge service system that emphasizes knowledge navigation as its core, balancing both library and information services, and developing services oriented towards the general public, research communities, enterprises, and government agencies. This approach aims to provide services at three levels: serving the public, serving research groups and businesses, and serving party and government decision-making departments.
Adhering to the principles of public welfare and inclusiveness, the library provides diverse reading services for the public. Every year, a variety of national reading activities are organized, and such services as barrier-free library service, online collaborative virtual reference service, remote electronic resource service, the "Shanghai Memory" digital resource library, lectures and exhibitions are well-received by the public both domestic and international.
Leveraging the advantages of information services, it escorts scientific research and innovation. The work of scientific and technological information focuses on cutting-edge technologies, emerging industries, urban studies, and other key areas. Services such as technology monitoring, patent analysis, technology assessment, and competitive intelligence are among the best in the country. The Shanghai information service platform and information services for small and medium-sized enterprises have pioneered new models for industry information services.
Pooling intelligence research capabilities, it provides high-quality consulting services for decision-making agencies. Through high-level research-based intelligence service projects such as “Shanghai Library Information Delivery”, “Competitive Intelligence”, “i-Intelligence” and media evaluations, a variety of decision-making reference information is provided for urban development and other fields.
Adapting to modern technological development, it pioneers new reading experiences and ubiquitous knowledge services. The Shanghai Library has taken the lead in launching services such as mobile libraries and e-book reader lending, promoting the “Citizen Digital Reading Promotion Plan”, and providing cross-platform digital reading services. It has also introduced digital humanities services based on linked open data, realizing data openness and interconnection on the Internet.
Strengthening industry exchanges and social cooperation, it continuously improves the collaborative mechanism for information resources and services. The Shanghai Central Library, based on the “One-Card-Through” book circulation system and the construction of thematic libraries, promotes inter-library resource sharing and co-building. The Shanghai Industry Intelligence Development Alliance, through the “Shanghai Industry Intelligence Service Network”, provides scientific and technological intelligence information and consulting services to the society. The “Window of Shanghai” project, as an exchange program with overseas libraries, not only promotes Chinese culture but also expands channels for external library cooperation.
"National Newspaper and Periodical Index", "Shanghai Cultural Yearbook", "Library Journal", and Shanghai Scientific and Technical Literature Publishing House Co., Ltd. adhere to the correct orientation, prioritize social benefits, and emphasize the "dual benefits" of social and economic aspects.
The Shanghai Library East officially opened on September 28, 2022. Its functional positioning is that of a smart hybrid library for the era of extensive reading. It integrates book and document resources, social science think tank research resources, and Shanghai local research resources. The library aims to create a "knowledge exchange community" that fosters wisdom, encourages innovation, and promotes inclusive sharing, in order to become a "study, living room, and studio" for citizens. It provides universally accessible and equally distributed public cultural services with personalized precision, catering to people of all ages and across all areas. The concept of "wisdom" is reflected in various aspects of the library's reading services, conveying the artistic conception of "reading people, reading the city, and reading the world," and the library has been nominated for the 2023 IFLA Public Library Award.
In recent years, the Shanghai Library and Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technical Information has firmly grasped the requirements of creating a "golden business card" and exploring the "traditional flavors," effectively implementing the concept of "the people's library." It has made great efforts to explore new frontiers in building a smart hybrid library for the era of extensive reading and a world-class research-oriented public library. The Shanghai Library East focuses on providing diversified, thematic, and experiential modern library services for the public, striving to become a new generation reading cultural center.
Meanwhile, the Library on Huaihai Road actively shoulders diversified reading functions, further strengthening its professional, knowledge-based, and research-oriented modern library services for institutions and readers. It aims to enhance the quality of reading by integrating public and professional elements and endeavors to transform into a new generation learning and academic center specialized in professional reading services.
📍Huaihai Road Library: 1555 Mid-Huaihai Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, Postal Code: 200031
📍Shanghai Library East: 300 Yingchun Road and 300 Hehuan Road, Pudong New Area, Postal Code: 200135
🌐Website: https://www.library.sh.cn
