Dynamics for development of China’s Village Library Project 2007-2015: A Study Based on Activity Theory
Title
Dynamics for development of China’s Village Library Project 2007-2015: A Study Based on Activity Theory
Description
In 2007, the State Administration of Press and Publication of China initiated and led the Village Library Project（农家书屋）to meet the cultural needs of Chinese farmers.
This project aimed to establish a small library in each administrative village through government support and fundraising. Farmers were supposed to operate these libraries.
By original plan, 640,000 administrative villages had to have libraries by 2015, but the Village Library Project reached its goal in 2012, three years earlier of schedule. The project has cost 180 billion Yuan and distributed 14.8 billion printed materials and 1.2 billion audio-video items to the newly established village libraries. It has involved the coordinated efforts of the State Administration of Press and Publication, the Ministry of Culture, the library profession, different kinds of grassroots organizations and the rural communities. However, there are some operational problems, such as low utilization and poor management, emerged. These problems need to be addressed.
Activity theory, an integrated theory that covers all elements (subject, object, tools, rule, community, and the division of labor) in human’s activity, was applied to analyze the implementation process of the Village Library Project. It reveals and clarifies the mechanism of participants (including motivation, relationship, and more), explores the developmental dynamics of China’s Village Library Project, and offers a deep understanding of the status quo and development trend of this project.
This project aimed to establish a small library in each administrative village through government support and fundraising. Farmers were supposed to operate these libraries.
By original plan, 640,000 administrative villages had to have libraries by 2015, but the Village Library Project reached its goal in 2012, three years earlier of schedule. The project has cost 180 billion Yuan and distributed 14.8 billion printed materials and 1.2 billion audio-video items to the newly established village libraries. It has involved the coordinated efforts of the State Administration of Press and Publication, the Ministry of Culture, the library profession, different kinds of grassroots organizations and the rural communities. However, there are some operational problems, such as low utilization and poor management, emerged. These problems need to be addressed.
Activity theory, an integrated theory that covers all elements (subject, object, tools, rule, community, and the division of labor) in human’s activity, was applied to analyze the implementation process of the Village Library Project. It reveals and clarifies the mechanism of participants (including motivation, relationship, and more), explores the developmental dynamics of China’s Village Library Project, and offers a deep understanding of the status quo and development trend of this project.
Creator
Zhou, Wenbo
Date
2018-05-11
Rights
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Relation
https://midwest.chapters.cala-web.org/annual-programs/2018-cala-midwest-chapter-annual-conference/2018-cala-midwest-chapter-annual-program/
Language
eng
Type
Presentation
Abstract
Activity Theory in China’s Village Library Project
Date Issued
2018-05-11
Bibliographic Citation
Zhou, Wenbo. "Dynamics for development of China’s Village Library Project 2007-2015: A Study Based on Activity Theory. Dynamics for development of China’s Village Library Project 2007-2015: A Study Based on Activity Theory." Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) Midwest Chapter. Accessed August, 11, 2022.
Position: 686 (289 views)
Collection
Citation
Anonymous, “Dynamics for development of China’s Village Library Project 2007-2015: A Study Based on Activity Theory
,” CALASYS - CALA Academic Resources & Repository System, accessed April 16, 2026, http://ir.cala-web.org/items/show/859.
,” CALASYS - CALA Academic Resources & Repository System, accessed April 16, 2026, http://ir.cala-web.org/items/show/859.