In order to promote the value of protecting ancient books and then the skills of restoring ancient books, Nankai University Library promoted three new exhibitions on campus, namely “Cultural Scrolls: Brief History of Restoration of Ancient Books in Nankai University Library”, “Overview of Theses Collection of the Institute of Nankai Institute of Economics during the Republican Period” and “Immoral Books: Stories about Nankai University in Special Collection of Ancient Books”.

Nankai University Library has been actively enhancing its restoration of ancient books, highlighting the techniques, publicizing the concept of protecting ancient books, revealing those books’ charm, disseminating relevant knowledge on campus, so as to establish the awareness of ancient books protection, which thus greatly contributes to Nankai University’s campus culture.

In June 2020, Nankai University Library was approved to set up the Nankai University Institute of National Teaching Center of Restoration Techniques of Ancient Books, as the second teaching center in Tianjin and the first one among the universities in the city, which is also one of the only five colleges and universities in China. On October 13, the Institute was officially inaugurated.

The exhibition “Cultural Scrolls: Brief History of Restoration of Ancient Books in Nankai University Library” is located in the west wing of the hall of the sixth floor of the central museum of the Jinnan Campus. It reviewed more than 60 years of restoration history in Nankai University, since the establishment of a special binding group in 1958, which also shows the hard work of many predecessors in this field, such as He Chongshan, Wei Shuying, Yang Fucun, Yang Wenjun. In addition, this exhibition displays some pictures of books restored by them, their wonderful skills and professionalism. It still further introduces all aspects of the restoration work of Nankai University Library since the establishment of the National Center for Protection of Ancient Books.

The exhibition “Overview of Theses Collection of the Institute of Nankai Institute of Economics during the Republican Period” is located in the Museum of Ancient Books on the sixth floor of the central museum in Jinnan Campus. In 1935, the Institute of Nankai Institute of Economics took the lead in recruiting graduate students in China. Until the adjustment of the departments in 1952, it enrolled more than 80 students, more than 60 of whom had completed their studies. Nankai University Library has 56 theses focusing on social reality and economic development at that time, which presents the concrete combination of western economic theory and Chinese social reality as an embodiment of teaching and scientific research achievements of the Institute. These papers were displayed in the exhibition in an all-round way.

“Immoral Books: Stories about Nankai University in Special Collection of Ancient Books” is exhibited in the north wing of the hall on the same floor. With the specially preserved ancient books collected in Nankai University Library as the mainline, this exhibition displays the gift books from Principal Yang Shixian and Professor Liu Chonghong, the manuscripts from Principal Chen Xujing and Professor Wang Ganyu, and the translation manuscripts of the classics of American history by Yang Shengmao and his students. Its purpose is to sort out information in books, explore stories behind them and retrospect patriotism and real-life experiences of these predecessors.

As a long-term activity, the newly launched exhibition welcomes teachers and students of Nankai University to have a visit after an appointment.

(Reported by Renming Qiao, Photographed by Junhui Wu, Translated by Yan Cao, Edited by Davide Francolino and JianjingYun)