ARCHITECTURE OF CHINA'S NEWEST LIBRARIES
China is a leading country in terms of the number of newly erected library buildings and cultural and educational centers. According to official statistics, today there are more than 8,000 libraries operating in the Land of the Rising Sun, whose services have been regulated by law since 2018. Major European architectural firms, such as MVRDV, Schmidt Hammer Lassen architects, as well as less well-known regional bureaus in Europe, such as Wang Weijen Architecture, UAD, GMP build library buildings that meet all modern requirements of society. The main difference between Chinese and European libraries is the focus on scientific and educational activities, rather than on communication and social work. In addition to providing access to the grandiose book collection, libraries are designed for scientific conferences, educational classes, and lectures for a wide range of listeners. In other words, today in China the library is an important scientific and cultural center. On the basis of the analysis of the planning structure of the newest library buildings, we will determine the most striking trends in design, as well as possible ways of further development.