Northwest University Library: The cultural context of the collection of volumes and the fragrance of books for a century

China News Service, Xi'an, October 5th. Title: Northwest University Library: The cultural context of the collection, the fragrance of books for a century

China News Service reporter Alina

More than 180,000 volumes (pieces) of ancient books are filled with the fragrance of ink. The old wooden bookshelf branded "National Northwest University" stands quietly. The manuscripts of famous writers in the Library of Northwest University are extremely precious... When you walk into the library of Northwest University, the books and volumes deposit the history of the school that spans more than 100 years. From rare ancient books to famous manuscripts, from classic book restoration to reading promotion, the profound historical heritage of the school can be seen everywhere.

The Northwest University Library originated from the Shaanxi University Hall Library in 1902. Along with the division and merger of the school, it has also experienced a development process from scratch, from small to large, from immature to mature. Now it has built a collection system that deeply integrates paper documents and digital resources.

"The library is a witness to the more than 100-year history of Northwest University. It is an important place for the school's talent training, academic research and document collection." Liu Liang, director of the Special Collections and Exhibition Department of the Northwest University Library, said that in the practice of document collection, scientific research support, and reading promotion, the library has written a unique book chapter unique to Northwest University.

The picture shows the ancient book collection room of Northwest University Library. Photo courtesy of Northwest University Library

As a national key ancient book protection unit, the Northwest University Library has a rich collection of ancient book resources. Its collection of more than 180,000 volumes (pieces) of ancient books is unique in the northwest region. In addition to the engravings and printed editions of various Chinese dynasties, the collection also includes Japanese and Korean editions, including Dunhuang Buddhist scripture manuscripts, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing engraved editions, Ming and Qing manuscripts, and manuscripts.

"In recent years, with the support of relevant national policies, our library has made some useful attempts in the protection, research, utilization and revitalization of ancient books." Liu Liang introduced that in 2024, our library resumed the ancient book restoration business that had been suspended for more than 30 years. At present, the restoration work of ancient books is progressing steadily, and more than 1,000 damaged ancient books can be repaired every year. Some ancient books have also been re-made and restored. It extends the physical life of ancient books, improves the storage conditions of ancient books, and gives new life to some seriously aging precious ancient books.

While doing a good job in protecting the original nature of ancient books, the library promotes the regenerative protection and revitalization of ancient books in multiple ways. In recent years, more than 29,000 books and photos have been taken of the ancient books in the collection, and more than 12,000 leaves of precious ancient books have been digitized, creating conditions for the next step of building a digital platform for ancient books. At the same time, we have actively cultivated ancient book restoration talents, organized special exhibitions of ancient books and documents, and other activities to continuously bring ancient books "out of the warehouse and closer to teachers and students."

Pictured is Xida Library. Photo courtesy of Northwest University Library

In 2022, the library of Northwest University, which was built on the eve of the 120th anniversary of the school, contains more than 5,000 volumes (pieces) of manuscripts, teaching plans, works and other documents written by more than 1,000 famous scholars and alumni since the founding of Northwest University.

The academic works of academicians such as Zhang Boxheng and Zhang Guowei in the geology discipline bear witness to the academic glory of Northwest University as the "Mother of China's Petroleum Talents"; Wang Shutang's "Wang's Theorem", Hou Boyu's "Hou's Theory" and other related documents show that the fields of mathematics and physics are named after Chinese people. The academic height of the research results; the manuscripts and writings of famous figures in the field of history and archeology such as Hou Wailu School, Ma Changshou, Chen Zhi, etc., inherit the academic fire of history and archaeology... The pen and ink show the academic style of Northwest University that integrates liberal arts and science and has produced numerous famous figures for more than a hundred years.

With the brand of "Bookish West University", the library has built an online and offline reading promotion matrix to allow classics to go out of the library and infiltrate campus life.

The picture shows a reading sharing meeting. Photo courtesy of Northwest University Library

Wang Miao, director of the Reading Promotion and Publicity Department of the Northwestern University Library, introduced that the library has created offline brand activities such as "Penthouse Reading Club", "Candlelight Reading Salon", "World Book Day Big Data Release and Reading Star Selection and Awarding", and carried out reading selections, theme sharing, special exhibitions and other activities. During the graduation season, electronic reading cards are issued to extend reading services; online activities such as reading marathons, database knowledge challenges, and reading points challenges are launched to fully stimulate students' enthusiasm for reading.

At the same time, the library actively links with on-campus units such as the School of Liberal Arts and the Psychology Center to broaden the boundaries of reading promotion and integrate reading into the entire process of talent training.

The book continues the context, and reading illuminates the original intention. From the old bookshelves of the National Northwest University to today's digital, distinctive, and diversified modern library, the Library of Northwest University is not only a treasure house for preserving classics, but also a fertile ground for cultivating talents.

Yang Yong, director of the Library Office of Northwest University, said that in the future, the library will continue to dig deep into unique collections, strengthen the Shuxiang campus brand, improve the smart service system, and let the century-old collections rejuvenate the vitality of the times, provide solid support for the school's talent training and discipline development, and keep the Moxiang cultural context alive in the land of Sanqin.