Far from the Shang Dynasty, the governments had been aware of processing the archival materials collectively and centrally. The Organizations of handling those materials would be the embryo types of Chinese ancient libraries. Down to the Han Dynasty, in addition to the archives, the authority designated the special agencies affiliated to the government to manage the books as well as the other types of documents. The first library was formally inaugurated in the history. Until the Sung Dynasty, the governments were somewhat liberalized to the central government officials within limits and formulated some simple circulation rules. Meanwhile, half-open libraries attached to local colleges were established to students' using. During the Emperor Chien-lung of the Ching Dynasty, the government compiled complete collections of Chinese books, the imperial library of Chien-lung named after the four vaults of classics, history, philosophy and collected works of literature. Furthermore, the government copied to seven parts and store up seperately. Three of these collections were using by public wholely, which were deposited in Chenkiang and Yangchow of Kiangsu, Hangchow of Chekiang. The types of public library had developed to this point.
