[Purpose/Significance] Exploring the centennial changes and development characteristics of rural reading spaces in China and looking forward to future optimization paths can provide reference and guidance for promoting the high-quality development of rural reading spaces and rural revitalization. [Method/Process] Through a literature review and historical research, this paper sorts out the evolution track of China’s rural reading spaces since the Republic of China, summarizes their universal characteristics, and then puts forward targeted suggestions for future development. [Result/Conclusion] Throughout the development history of rural reading spaces in China over the past century, the process can be divided into seven stages: the rise and development during the Republic of China period (1912-1949), the construction movement in the early days of New China (1949-1966), the stagnation and small-scale revival during the Cultural Revolution (1967-1977), the vigorous development of township libraries (rooms) in the early stage of reform and opening up (1978-1993), the construction projects of rural libraries in poverty-stricken areas at the turn of the century (1994-2005), the systematic development of reading spaces under the concept of universal equality (2006-2012), and the deepening and expansion of rural public reading spaces within the modern public cultural service system (2013-present). These stages fully demonstrate the historic leap in the rural public cultural service system in China from inexistence to presence, from isolated points to a broader network, and from quantity to quality. The distinctive characteristics during the century of change mainly include the government strongly dominating the construction of rural reading spaces, the participation of social forces exhibiting spontaneity, locality, and diversity; the coexistence of foresight and backwardness forming unique development paths; and comprehensive cultural spaces, such as libraries or reading rooms, as the main form of rural reading spaces in China. The future path for the high-quality development of rural reading spaces in China includes spatial regeneration to build modern reading environments tailored to local needs, service innovation to create a diversified and integrated rural reading service system and mechanism restructuring to strengthen the foundation for sustainable development of rural reading spaces.
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