國家圖書館前身為國立中央圖書館，民國22年籌創於南京。抗戰期間輾轉播遷，於38年奉命遷臺，43年在臺北復館，至今已有80年的歷史。民國85年易名為國家圖書館，持續進行典藏國家文獻，弘揚學術，研究發展與輔導全國圖書館事業。本文簡述中央圖書館的籌建經過，並從組織結構、館藏發展、館舍興建、書目服務、自動化作業、漢學中心建置等六個面向，分別歸納該館80年來的重要發展。此外，另就國家圖書館應該具備的收集國家出版品、推展全國性服務、規劃協調與督導全國圖書館事業、領導全國圖書館事業、推動國內館際合作及國際資訊合作發展等幾項重要功能加以探討分析，期許國家圖書同仁繼往開來，成為全國圖書館事業發展的標竿和動力。

National Central Library was first established in 1933 in Nanjing. It experienced a circuitous route of relocation during the War of Resistance until it finally settled in Taiwan in 1949 and was housed in its own building in 1954. This year marks the 80th year of its history. Since its inception, NCL has continued to archive national documentation, promote scholarship, and research, develop, and guide national librarianship.This paper describes the events surrounding the establishment of National Central Library and outlines important developments over its 80 year history by looking specifically at the following six categories: organizational structure, collection development, library construction, bibliographic services, automated operations, and the founding of the Center for Chinese Studies.In addition, it also examines major functions that NCL should have, including collection of national publications, provision of national services, planning coordination and supervision of national librarianship, leadership of national librarianship, and promotion of interlibrary cooperation in Taiwan and international information cooperation development. As the staff at National Central Library carries forward its wonderful legacy, it will become the model and motivation of librarianship development across the nation.