The Pudong Library's new art branch and archive officially opened to the public on Sunday.

The branch was jointly built by the library and Being Art Museum, Pudong’s first public art museum in the Biyun international community.

It features more than 6,000 books related to art, including 600 titles donated by 30 of China’s most renowned contemporary artists and critics. It will also host seminars, art exhibitions and reading events.

Membership cards are available from the official WeChat account of the Being Art Museum, allowing holders to read books for free.

Contemporary art critic Li Xiaofeng said the branch is China’s first art library featuring an archive of contemporary art, which signals that the Pudong New Area continues to play a pioneering role in China’s reform and opening-up. He believes contemporary art will grow in Pudong.

Lin Wei, director of Being Art Museum, said the new branch will help build an archival database of contemporary art, foster young artists with modern and international vision, and explore the combination of library, achieve and museum in one location.

An exhibition featuring pictures, objects and installations made by artists expressing their views on books and reading is being held at Being Art Museum. It will run until November 15.