The New Culture Movement and the Breakthrough in Chinese Academic Library Reform

Abstract Examines the impact of the New Culture Movement on the development of Chinese academic librarianship in the early twentieth century. Begins by analyzing the ideological and institutional obstacles to library reform before the Movement took place in 1915. Demonstrates how the Movement swept away those obstacles and set library reform on the fast track. Highlights the significant contributions by Li Dazhao, a leader of the Movement, in transforming Beijing University Library into a modern academic library and in setting up a model for the other universities to emulate in the ensuing decades.