Special Collection on Chinese Culture 中華古今文獻精藏
Special Collection on Chinese Culture 中華古今文獻精藏
Richmond Public Library’s Special Collection on Chinese Culture contains over 17,000 valuable books donated by Dr. Kwok-Chu Lee (Master Lam Chun). This scholarly collection supports the learning and research of subjects related to Chinese culture. The collection is in both traditional and simplified scripts and includes a small collections of art books in English, Japanese and Korean.
Richmond Public Library is excited to make the Chinese Art collection, one of the highlights of the Special Collection on Chinese Culture, available for use. We welcome the community to access over 5,200 books highlighting Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, engraving, performing arts and other art forms. Notable collection highlights include:
- Ancient and contemporary artists’ catalogues of auctions, exhibitions, museums, and private collections
- Rubbings of engravings on cliffs, tombstones and signs
- Copybooks by calligraphers from different dynasties in different scripts
- Instructional books on drawing and painting techniques, and dictionaries
- Books on history and development, analysis and interpretation, art criticisms, theories and research
Browse through the featured categories of our collection here.
Drop-in to view items in the collection at these times:
Tuesday – 2:00pm-5:00pm
Wednesday – 2:00pm-5:00pm
Thursday – 2:00pm-5:00pm
A staff member will be available to assist with this collection during these times.
Important Information
Dr. Kwok-Chu Lee (Master Lam Chun) was a book lover, strong supporter of self-education and a good friend of Richmond Public Library. In 2011, Dr. Lee donated 47,000 Chinese language books from his personal collection to the library. After a professional book evaluation was completed, the total collection was described as a “national treasure.” The library is grateful to Dr. Lee for his multiple donations. Click here to read Dr. Lee’s full biography.
There are 5,200 books on Chinese Art available for browsing and enjoying. The Special Collection offers a comfortable space for using these books. We look forward to welcoming you as you visit the space during the drop-in hours to browse the catalogue. Our helpful staff with language skills will be available to help you.
- Customers must have a valid RPL card to use books from the Special Collection on Chinese Culture.
- Maximum of three books may be used at a time for up to 90 minutes in the Special Collection Room.