On July 22, 2022, Shanghai Library, the temple of knowledge in the hearts of Shanghainese, has reached the age of 70. The library hopes to find the historical witnesses 70 years ago.

70 years ago, On July 22, 1952, the Shanghai Library opened in the original Shanghai Racecourse Building on No. 325 West Nanjing Road. This was a major event in the cultural life of the people of Shanghai in New China. According to media reports at the time, "there were more than 10,000 visitors to the library".

A set of photos published in the August 1952 issue of the East China Pictorial truly recorded the grand occasion of the opening day of the Shanghai Library. One of them was a photo taken in the library lobby at that time. In front of the camera, five girls wearing red scarves and with school badges pinned on their light-colored short-sleeved shirts come towards us. Perhaps at that moment, they understood that the photographer's camera was aiming at them, who were lucky enough to be the first batch of people to enter the Shanghai Library, their smile blooming on their young faces.

Today, 70 years later, we want to know, where the 5 girls in the photo are. Where are you now? How did you get connected with the Shanghai Library? What kind of reading stories do you have?
Today, the Shanghai Library has issued a “Notice for Missing Persons":
If you are one of the 5 girls in the photo 70 years ago, or you are their relatives or friends, or have other clues, please provide us with your contact information.
If you have stories, personal memories, old photos, diaries, library cards, etc. related to the Shanghai Library on the library opening day 70 years ago or later, please contact us. The memories of readers are common spiritual home of the Shanghai Library, and there is always a way for the connection.

The Shanghai Library Activity to Trace the People on an Old Photo at Its 70th Anniversary
Contact: Sun Yuting
Tel: 64455555-1122