Chen told China.org.cn that the National Library has the largest collection of Chinese literature, the largest digital resources base, and the most advanced information network service in China.

In cooperation with the China Disabled Persons' Federation and the China Braille Publishing House, the National Library has launched a special internet service for visually impaired people. The special website aims to give the visually impaired open and equal access to the library's knowledge base.

For rare book fans, the new building's biggest attraction will be the first floor, where a special glass room houses original copies of the Siku Quanshu (Complete Works of Chinese Classics – a huge Encyclopedia project initiated by the Qing Emperor Qianlong, who reigned from 1735 to 1796). The original Siku Quanshu has not been available to the public for more than 80 years. Now, every body can take a close look at what has been called the "most ambitious editorial enterprise in the history of the world."

History of the NLC:

The forerunner of the National Library of China, the Metropolitan Library, was founded on April 24, 1909 by the Qing Imperial government but was not formally opened until 1912, after the Revolution of 1911 (the Chinese bourgeois democratic revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen which overthrew the Qing Dynasty). In July 1928, its name was changed to the National Beijing Library.

National Library of China

Address: #33 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District, Beijing

Tel: (+86 10) 8854 5426、8854 5360

Website: http://www.nlc.gov.cn/en/indexen.htm

Email: webmaster@nlc.gov.cn

Buses: 319, 320, 332, 634, 645, 653, 716, 717, 727, 732, 804, 808, 814, 827

(China.org.cn September 10, 2008)