The National Library of China (NLC) is currently exhibiting
photocopies of 1,200 antique books covering a total 15,000
volumes.
Photocopies of four of the most valuable collections are now on
public view at the week-long exhibition in Beijing, said library
director Zhan Furui Friday.
They include one part of "Si Ku Quan Shu," or Encyclopedia
Sinica, China's largest book series compiled between 1772 and 1782
during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644 to
1911).
Only one part is being displayed because 3.5 parts of the huge
seven-part collection have been lost. One part is currently in
Taiwan while another 2.5 parts are in three Chinese mainland
libraries, including the NLC.
Visitors will also see photocopies of 16,000 pieces of
manuscript found in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, about 100 years ago.
These account for about one third of the total Dunhuang document
collection worldwide, Zhan said.
The other two collections are remains of the Yongle
Encyclopaedia, China's first encyclopaedia written some 400 years
ago, and a 900-year-old collection of Buddhist sutra.
"As the library is keeper of the world's most valuable Chinese
books, we have tried to give the ancient books a second life
through modern technology," Zhan said.
Besides photocopying the books, the library is also taking
digital photos and putting them on a database that is currently
under construction
So far, the library has finished a catalog of the database, Zhan
said.
The exhibition runs through Monday.
(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2007)