Being one of the oldest university libraries in China, the history of Zhejiang University Library can be traced back to 1897 when Qiushi Academy Library was founded. In September 1998, a new Zhejiang University was established on the basis of the amalgamation of the four former individual universities, namely Zhejiang University, Hangzhou University, Zhejiang Agricultural University and Zhejiang Medical University. The libraties of these universities were correspondingly merged into the unified Zhejiang University Libraries (ZUL).

ZUL consists of five branch libraries, in separate locations in Hangzhou: the Library of science and Technology in Yuquan Campus, the Library of Art and Science in Xixi Campus, the Library of Agriculture in Huajiachi Campus, the Library of Medicine in Hubin Campus and the Zijingang Library. ZUL headquarter is in Yuquan Campus. The total building area of the libraries amounts to 84,000 square meters, with 6800 seats.

The Ni Tiecheng Human and Arts Library financially sponsorted by the Hong Kong entrepreneur, Mr. Ni Tiecheng, and The Yuan Engineering Library donated by Chinese-Amarican scientist Dr.Yuan Shaowen are located in the Library of Science and Technology. The Zhejiang University Bank of Publications which contributed by its faculty and alumni is in the Library of Arts and Sciences.

ZUL currently has a staff of 219, among which one with a Ph.D. title, 8 with a master`s degrees and 108 graduated from universities or colleges in various kinds of subject . There are 44 research librarians(professors) or associate research librarians(associate professors). A galaxy of employees make the provision of excellent service possible.

By the end of 2003, the total collections held by the library amount to 5,530,000 volumes (items). About 100,000 new books and 7,500 kinds of periodicals in Chinese and foreign language are added annually. In addition, ZUL holds over 52 kinds of online databases with more than 200 items, involving approximately 100,000 e-books, 8000 full-text e-journals of foreign language, 9,000 full-text e-journals of Chinese, 100,000 dissertations and so on. The collection of ZUL covers almost all the academic subject, featuring mainly in mechanical engineering, instrumentation, power and energy engineering, electronics and engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering, medicine, agriculture, biological science, local documentation, Dunhuang study and psychology, etc.

ZUL operates the international advanced integrated automation system “Horizon”, which connect the five branches through campus network and offer online circulation service for 71,300 registered readers. The volumes of circulation amount to 2,400,000 annually. In recent years, the contents of the libraries services have been expanded and developed rapidly, especially in visual and digital library services such as information research, novelty retrieve, document delivery and interlibrary loan, SDI service, personal service, user training, etc. More than 6000 users visit the libraries' web site everyday.

The China-US Million Book Digital Library (CADAL) project, organized by ZUL and the Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Science, is an important part of public service program in “211 project” during the tenth “Five-Year Plan” period. Sponsored by ZUL and cooperated with the other academic libraries in Zhejiang province, the Zhejiang Academic Digital Library and Information System (ZADLIS) project is started. ZUL encourage its faculty to carry on academic research and exchange. In recent 5 years, more than 10 research items have been accomplished. The library has held a number of national academic forums. About 100 thesis and several monographs have been published every year.