Guangzhou Library, one of China's largest public libraries, is located on Huacheng Square, the city's landmark civic plaza in the city's new central business district. It is open to the public for free.
The library has a collection of 11.852 million items and provides 4,500 reading seats, 418 public computers, more than 4,000 wired network ports, and complete Wi-Fi coverage.
Foreign-Language Collection
Guangzhou Library has 188,000 foreign-language books and other materials in 19 languages, including English, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Turkish, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, Hindi, Tamil (Sri Lanka), Māori (New Zealand), and Latin.
Most foreign-language materials are located in the Multicultural Library (North Tower, 8th Floor) and the Language Learning Library (South Tower, 6th Floor).
The library's online catalogue allows readers to search for books, periodicals, rare books, multimedia resources and other materials. The catalogue also supports joint searches across libraries within the regional library network.
Smart Library Services
Guangzhou Library combines collection storage, borrowing, reading and reference services. It has RFID technology, an automatic materials sorting system, and self-service facilities to provide efficient library services.
The library welcomes an average of 27,000 visitors daily and records around 37,000 loans each day, making it one of China's busiest public libraries.
In addition to lending physical collections, audiovisual materials and digital resources, the library offers reference services, exhibitions, lectures, art appreciation programmes, cultural displays, digital services, and spaces for learning, research and community activities.
Architecture and Location
Guangzhou Library, which faces the Canton Tower, is part of Guangzhou's cultural district, which also includes the Guangdong Museum, the Guangzhou Opera House, and the Guangzhou No. 2 Children's Palace.
The library occupies a 21,000-square-metre site with a total floor area of 98,000 square metres. The layered façade, inspired by the concept of "Beautiful Books," evokes stacks of books and the accumulation of history and culture, while also incorporating traditional Lingnan architectural elements such as qilou (arcaded buildings).
Library Card Registration
Chinese citizens and foreign nationals can register for a Guangzhou Library card using a valid identification document, including a passport for foreign visitors.
After registration, readers can link their library card to the library's official WeChat account, official website, or the "广图+" WeChat Mini Program to access a digital library card.
Applicants are required to provide valid identification and a mobile phone number during registration.
Borrowing Information
Readers may borrow Chinese and foreign-language books, periodicals and audiovisual materials that are available for loan. Reference-only materials cannot be borrowed.
Loan periods
Books (including accompanying materials): 21 days, renewable up to three times
Periodicals and audiovisual materials: 15 days, renewable once
Borrowing is unavailable if a reader has overdue items, unpaid overdue charges, or a suspended library account.
Overdue charges
0.10 yuan per item per day, capped at 10 RMB per item.
Official website: https://www.gzlib.org.cn/
WeChat official account: "广州图书馆"
Add.: No. 4, Zhujiang East Road, Guangzhou (广州市珠江东路4号)
Note: The information provided above is for reference only. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the library's official website or official WeChat account.
Author: Liu Lingzhi
Photos: Guangzhou Library
