History of Libraries...Anybody know if China had "Public" libraries before

[masmdu]

the Roman Empire ( Julius Ceasar & Asinius Pollio) established public libraries.

OR

If China had libraries (not public) prior to the Sumerian temple libaries in Mesopotamia (3000BC)

I ask because I'm reading about the history of libraries now and I often read histories that make claims about origination of things only to find out later that China often can lay claim to the true original .... frequently decades, or centuries earlier.

Any idea if this is true with Libraries with regards to China?

TIA

[skooooo]

1. Not sure...but ...

...depends on how you define "public." The idea that the common man should be able to walk in and borrow books is a very modern concept. Most likely, only the rich or schooled people in China could use libraries. Peasants couldn't read anyway, and probably still can't.

[masmdu]

2. Kick...Anybody else?

[XanaDUer]

3. May want to google this name...

Zhou Yongnian, the founder of China's public libraries, and Wei Xiang, a leading architect. In addition, many outstanding writers and poets, such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Su Shi and Zeng Gong, once lied in or visited Jinan. Hence it is also called "the city of celebrities".

http://www.china-sd.net/eng/sdcities/jinan/history.asp