In 2004, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the National Library of China (NLC) in Beijing signed a cooperation agreement by which NLC received a status of IFLA Preservation and Conservation China Center. The current director is Chen Ying.

Based upon its expertise in protection of Ancient Books and Modern Literature, document restoration/census and registration/digitisation/preservation and protection of documents in microform, among the priorities of the Centre are:

1.Take initiatives to identify and raise awareness of preservation and conservation issues within the library field, among national/regional authorities responsible for heritage collections, and the wider community to increase understanding and support;

2.Take a leadership role in coordinating preservation and conservation activities, including activities to improve capacity and skills within the library field, and to inform policy;

3.Identify, promote and disseminate local and worldwide relevant best practices in preservation and conservation;

4. Facilitate information sharing and provide professional guidance on emergency document preservation for regions in need;

5. Participate in the PAC Centre business meetings at the annual World Library and Information Congress, Partake in, promote and improve the visibility of IFLA's global preservation and conservation activities, contributing to IFLA's strategic objectives and in support of IFLA's overall work on cultural heritage;

6. Share information, examples and specialist expertise practices with the worldwide preservation and conservation community;

7. Translation of key IFLA Preservation and Conservation Center documents, guidelines, press-releases, papers prepared for the Assembly Meetings etc.

For further information about the Centre and its activities please contact:

Ms. Saren Gaowa

 Email address:sargw@nlc.cn  Fax:0086-10-6841927