東觀是東漢最著名的國家藏書機構，同時也是東漢史上出現的首座綜合性、多功能的文館，創立於漢光武帝建武後期，坐落在洛陽南宮皇城，建築風格為樓觀式樣，外形高大，儲藏豐富。由於章帝、和帝的大力扶持，這裏遂逐漸發展為國家的藏書中心和著述基地。裏面設有校書部及校書郎和著作兩種職位，任職者多以他官兼著作之名，領校書之務，皆通儒達學，並以學術優長而而著作東觀，寫作文章。從職能性質、學術活動來看，東觀已經具有初步的館閣形態，其存在整合了文壇力量，促進了文史撰述，推動了東漢文學的發展。

Dong guan was the most famous book-collecting institution in the Eastern Han dynasty, at the same time it is the first comprehensive and multi-functional cultural center. Founded on the later stage of Jinwu of Guangwudi, this organization was situated in Sourthern Palace, Luoyang. It was a storied building with great heights and abundant literature collection. Since Hanhedi period, this organization gradually became the national library and compiling center; those who were appointed to the post of editor or writer gathered here, proofreading books and writing history. Dong guan not only cultivated many writers and scholars but also advanced the development of the history and literature of the Eastern Han Dynasty.