With the start of the summer break, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) Library embarked on academic visits to peer libraries and cultural institutions in Hangzhou, focusing on collaboration and emerging trends in academic librarianship.
The visit began at the Zijingang Campus of Zhejiang University (ZJU), where the DKU delegation met with the librarian team of Zhejiang University Library for an in-depth academic exchange. During the discussion, Ziwei Zhang, Deputy Library Director of ZJU Library, presented a visionary framework of future library centering on “Grand Resources, Large Models, Extensive Reading, and Seamless Integration” (大资源、大模型、大阅读、大融通) and underscored the transformative role of AI in modern library ecosystems.
Following the academic exchange, the delegation was guided on an immersive tour of the main library building, which was officially inaugurated in 2024. The architecture incorporates symbolic elements reflecting the university’s academic spirit, most notably the Qiushi Eagle, which is subtly woven into the interior design.
The study continued at the Zhejiang University Rare Books Library, where the delegation had the opportunity to have a close look at collections of rare printed editions and manuscripts. A highlight of the visit was the Turfan manuscripts, a significant collection of documents recovered from ancient funerary artifacts. Ryder Kouba, Archives and Special Collections Librarian at DKU, noted that this vast wealth of historical materials provides valuable primary resources for researchers.
The delegation also visited Westlake University, a research-oriented institution founded in 2018 with a core focus on scientific research and technological innovation.
The visit began with a comprehensive tour led by Westlake University librarians, revealing a space where thoughtful design permeates every corner. From the inspiring slogan in the atrium symbolizing the integration of liberal arts and sciences to the tactile embossed markings on the stairs, Andrew Lee, Research and Instruction Librarian at DKU, remarked that the attention to detail in the library’s design is truly impressive.
In the subsequent meeting, both libraries shared their respective institutional contexts, development paths, and innovative service models. Ming Luo, Executive Deputy Director of the Office of Information Technology (Library), shared that as a library serving a highly research-oriented institution focused on science and engineering, Westlake University Library intentionally creates spaces for cultural and intellectual balance through flagship initiatives such as the Huxin Lectures and the “We Read” campus activities.
Mr. Ming Luo was introducing the development of Westlake University to the DKU delegation
The delegation continued the visit at the China National Archives of Publications and Culture (Hangzhou), also known as the Wenrun Pavilion (文润阁). As part of a national preservation system structured as “One Main Repository and Three Branches” (一总三分), the institution serves as a cultural gene bank dedicated to safeguarding the material carriers of Chinese civilization.
Designed in an architectural style inspired by the Song Dynasty, the Hangzhou Branch houses extensive collections of rare books, printing blocks, and manuscripts, offering an immersive look into cultural preservation. The delegation also explored an interactive “Hundred Family Surnames” digital wall, which allows visitors to trace cultural heritage through surnames, blending historical scholarship with digital engagement.
The visit successfully deepened institutional connections and offered the DKU Library team valuable perspectives on diverse academic library practices. University Librarian Mengjie Zou remarked, “From comprehensive leading universities to emerging research institutions, each library reflects its university’s academic vision. Learning from these varied models enables us to refine our services and shape a forward-looking development path for DKU Library.”
