Changing the Role of Chinese Public Libraries in the History of Children’s Book Publishing

Abstract

   In recent years, there has been strong growth in the Chinese children’s book market, particularly during the pandemic thus solidifying its leading position in the segmented book market. This trend reflects the increasing demand for children’s reading in society, providing extra requirement for the development of public libraries in the area of children’s reading services. The depth of study of these changes and its role in the Chinese public libraries through the history of children’s book publishing paved the way for this article, which explores the role and movements of public libraries in the children’s book market. The research finds that public libraries have gradually evolved from the initial roles of collector and disseminator to promoter, collaborator and guide, playing an increasingly important role in children’s book publishing and reading promotion. The innovative cooperation, resource sharing and mutual benefit between public libraries and children’s book publishers have injected new vitality into the sustainable development of the children’s book market. In the future, public libraries will continue to deepen cooperation, to drive innovation, to achieve sustainable growth and to provide more quality and efficient services for children’s reading, meeting the high requirements of the times.