Visitors are taking photos of the new National Roosevelt Library at Liangjiang International Movie City, Chongqing.

By Keqiao Cheng, EDITOR

Chongqing - The Liangjiang International Movie City is known as a replica of the old Chongqing city. Now, the National Roosevelt Library, another landmark of old Chongqing, has also appeared at this place. Meanwhile, on the afternoon of January 22, the Liangjiang Movie City Branch of Chongqing Library (former National Roosevelt Library) officially opened.

Understand the history of Chongqing

The library covers an area of more than 1,100 square meters. Moreover, it has over 2,000 volumes of books, nearly half are about modern history. In addition, from now on, visitors can borrow these books for free. “We hope that it will popularize the history of Chongqing Library to the public, and better promote nationwide reading.” At the opening ceremony, Ren Jing, Director of the Chongqing Library, said so.

Emblems and stamps from the old National Roosevelt Library

The planning of the “National Roosevelt Library” in the Movie City began in June last year. “We hope that this branch, with its location in a scenic spot, can realize the integration of culture and tourism.” At the opening ceremony, Ren Jing introduced that the branch also has represented some scenes of the former “National Roosevelt Library”. Besides, this is to match the charm of old Chongqing and publicize cultural resources and symbols by tourism. “It shows tourists the importance we attach to the landmark of the city of being the capital during the War of Resistance.”

Why National Roosevelt Library?

Why adopt “Roosevelt ” as its name? Ren Jing explained that one reason was to follow the reproduction of old Chongqing scenic spot in Liangjiang International Movie City. It is also because there is a close relationship between the former “National Roosevelt Library” and the current Chongqing Library. “We can say that the former ‘National Roosevelt Library’ is the ‘root’ of the current Chongqing Library.”

Archive image of the old National Roosevelt Library

The history of the former National Roosevelt Library dates back to 1946. In order to commemorate the departed US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the government decided to set up the Roosevelt Library. It situated at Lianglukou, where the current Chongqing Children’s Library locates.

The National Roosevelt Library opened on May 1, 1947. By the end of 1947, the library had received a total of 176,462 visitors. On November 30, 1949, the library renamed itself as the National Southwest People’s Library. In May 1955, the previous National Southwest People’s Library, Chongqing Municipal People’s Library, and Beibei District Library of Chongqing merged into the Chongqing Library.

“Actually, until now, Chongqing Library is a library with two state-approved names: Chongqing Library and Roosevelt Library.” Ren Jing introduced that some people might be familiar with its former site at Lianglukou. The reason is that it has appeared in film and television works many times in the past years. It has also shown up in some well-known works such as Zhou Yu’s Train.

Source: CQCB