Abstract: Public library belongs to a new kind of public buildings emerged in modern China. The paperstudies  the influx of Western scientific knowledge, educational reform and national revival, elaborates the creation and development of public libraries in Wuhan. The initiators included reform-minded gentry, key officials in Self-strengthening Movement, missionaries, modern librarians, technocrats, etc. They intended to enlighten the general public, spread modern knowledge, awaken and discipline the citizens. The library buildings were no longer simply adopted from some existing courtyard houses, but elaborately designed and constructed. The site selection changed from escaping the bustled market to pursuing convenient transportation. The users enlarged from privileged scholars to the general public. The architectural styles shifted from obey Westernization to adaptive Chinese renaissance. The public library buildings in modern Wuhan experienced the transformation from “hiding the books” to “open to all”. They made reference to the design ideas of contemporary public libraries in the West, particularly USA, and were meantime embedded in the desires of preserving the Chinese quintessence and achieving national revival.

Key words: public library, Wuhan, architectural history of modern China

摘要： 公共图书馆是近代出现的一种新类型的公共建筑。论文结合我国近代西学东渐、教育改革、民族复兴等场景，考察武汉公共图书馆的创出与发展。其发起人囊括了开明绅商、洋务重臣、传教士、图书馆专员和技术官僚等，蕴含着开启民智、传播现代知识、唤醒和规训民众的多重考虑。其馆舍从借用民宅到专门设计建造，选址从远市避嚣到追求交通便利，类型从单一到多元，服务对象从有限的学者拓展到广大的民众，建筑风格从照搬西式到中国传统复兴。武汉近代图书馆建筑经历了从“藏”到“开”的转变，既借鉴了西方特别是美国的公共图书馆设计理念，又浸润了保存国粹民族复兴的意愿。

关键词: 公共图书馆, 武汉, 中国近代建筑史