Abstract: Think tank service can effectively increase the impact of libraries and is one of the development
potentials of university libraries. Zhejiang University Library has made effective attempts in the recent
years. This research, commissioned by the National Science and Technology Award Office, summarizes
the characteristics of successful practices regarding think tank service. We identify the plural intelligence
research team, inter-collaboration mechanism beyond institutions, and abundant collection as essential for
the think tank service, whereas the lack of macro-perspective and low policy sensitivity the obstacles.
Finally, we provide suggestions on collaborating with external entities and building a high-level expert
network for think tank service.

Key words: Think tank, Think tank services, Characteristics of practices, Best practice, Evaluation indexsystem, Evaluation model