Libraly Journal

Libraly Journal ›› 2024, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (393): 129-140.

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The Practice and Significance of Compilation for the Rare Book Catalog in the Jingshi Library

Lin Zhenyue (School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)   

  • Online:2024-01-15 Published:2024-01-31
  • About author:Lin Zhenyue (School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract:

In the past, it was generally believed that the Jingshi Library (1909—1928) had preservedthree editions of rare books catalog. In fact, the librarians, namely Miao Quansun, Wang Maorong, JiangHan, Xia Zengyou, Zhang Zongxiang and Shi Xiyong, had compiled six editions of rare books which asa model for compiling public collections of rare books in modern times. Based on historical records andinvestigations into existing manuscript copies, this article divides the process of cataloging at the JingshiLibrary into three periods: the embryonic stage, the concise catalog stage and the rare book catalog stage.It also amplifies the three rare book catalog editions compiled by Wang Maorong, Zhang Zongxiang andShi Xiyong. The practice of compiling rare book catalogs at the Jingshi Library reflects the process oftransferring modern collection from private to public and standardizing rare book cataloging. It also set aprecedent for public library compiling rare book catalogs. These historical catalogs record the historicalappearance of ancient books and the early cataloging achievements of the national library, leaving six“historical archives” of rare books in the collection of the Jingshi Library. These archives can provideimportant evidence for investigating the whereabouts of the rare books in the Jingshi Library.