By: Natalia Devlin

At the January 2026 meeting of ILCE, our new member Heather Wright, shared a general overview of what libraries in China look like today. Heather started with some background on public libraries, including the growth of modern public libraries in big cities, many with dramatic architecture. While there has been growth, public library accessibility is still a big issue in smaller cities and rural areas of the country. In very rural areas, charities have focused on building libraries in schools and community centers. Public schools do have libraries, but their functionality and accessibility also varies widely by location and funding, with some providing access to interesting books and comfortable reading/studying areas, while others may have limited collections or only provide study space. 

Most of the presentation focused on international and private school libraries and their unique role. These libraries serve multilingual, highly mobile communities and serve both Chinese and foreign students. They often function as literacy hubs, inquiry spaces, and places of belonging for students navigating multiple cultures and education systems. Efforts are made to promote bilingual reading, and in many schools, collections will also reflect the major languages spoken in the school community. While many will resemble school libraries we see in the US, spaces, collections and staffing are highly varied based on school funding and perceived value of libraries. Many private schools and school leadership do value libraries and provide access to vibrant collections, comfortable spaces, and teacher librarians who provide research lessons, especially those with International Baccalaureate accreditation.

Heather also discussed some of the real challenges librarians face in this context, such as collection constraints and balancing global values with local regulations. Librarian training in China focuses on preparation for academic librarianship, revealing a need for local professional development for librarians working in schools. International/foreign trained librarians often work side by side with Chinese librarians in private schools, and regional professional development chat groups/meetings/conferences provide learning opportunities for all.

For further details and to review Heather’s slides, please follow this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18BoQW0nwgH4AKg7p68lkWOjjKXU4tnl_/view?usp=sharing