Cheng Huanwen, vice-president of the Library Society of China and Nie Hua, research librarian from Peking University, both gave fascinating lectures on the management and future operation of libraries at Shanxi University, or SXU, on Nov 7, according to university reports.

More than 200 people participated in the lectures, including staff from Shanxi Library and Taiyuan Library and students in the library and information major from SXU and Shanxi University of Finance and Economics.

Having been curator of the Sun Yat-Sen University Library for more than two decades -- and being a Chinese member of the executive committee of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions -- Cheng has rich experience in library management.

Cheng gave a lecture on his management philosophy for libraries, attaching importance to obtaining physical books and documents, improving services and applying new techs.

Nie has long been engaged in the management and research of library automation, networking and informatization, as well as the construction of digital libraries.

She gave a lecture on the application of information and modern technologies in libraries, indicating the challenges libraries are facing and explaining technology’s role in tackling these challenges –– taking Peking University as an example.

Officials said that the lectures would help libraries in Shanxi to improve their management levels and technological development.