A Branch National Library for Chinese ancient books opened here Friday at Wenjin street in Beijing, with more than 2.6 million volumes on the shelf.

According to an official with the National Library, among the 2.6 million volumes, rare editions of ancient books total 270,000 volumes, common editions 1.64 million volumes, and specially collected documents over 700,000 volumes.

The collection of the library can be ranked as the number one nationwide in terms of quantity, quality and content, he acknowledged.

In recent years, he said, the National Library has enhanced the research and collection of the ancient books and has launched a program to make a digital record of the ancient books. A number of editions, such as stone inscriptions on Dunhuang and Xixia (1032-1227) heritage have been transformed in digital material and made public to readerships online.

The building of the library for ancient books collection, founded in 1931, is now designated as a relic protection in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2006)