A window open to the whole world: Shanghai Library's global cooperative promotion, “Window of Shanghai”

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to focus on the “Window of Shanghai”, a cooperative program initiated by Shanghai Library that aims to connect people and promote understanding, by the donation of new books published in China to foreign libraries, especially those that are functioning as the major local information gateway for people of various communities and/or with different cultural origins.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a review of the program.

Findings

The paper shows that the purpose of the program, to cooperate with overseas partners – public libraries and other information institutions – to introduce and spread Chinese language and culture through the donation of Chinese domestic publications, has provided opportunities and future challenges. The program has helped Chinese migrants around the world to be better understood and identified, and has contributed to aiding the continuation of their languages, customs and traditions in subsequent generations.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on a program that is helping to spread Chinese language and culture.

Citation

Chen, X. and Shen, L. (2006), "A window open to the whole world: Shanghai Library's global cooperative promotion, “Window of Shanghai”", Library Management, Vol. 27 No. 6/7, pp. 321-335. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120610702314