Abstract: It is of great significance to study the evolution of space-time pattern of public library to realize the equalization of public cultural services. With the help of MapInfo and SPSS analysis tools, this paper discusses the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of Chinese public libraries in different scales from 2000 to 2016. The results show that, on the national scale, the diachronic development is phased, the spatial process is distributed unevenly along the “Hu Huanyong line”, the density decreases gradually from the eastern region to the western region at the regional scale, and the quantity increases inversely. On the provincial and municipal scale, Zhejiang is on top in terms of many indicators, while the per capita purchase fee of books in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia has increased significantly. National policies, regional social and economic development, geographical environment factors affect the formation and evolution of the aforementioned characteristics.

Key words: Public libraries, Temporal and spatial patterns, Distribution characteristics, Influencing factors