The building of a nation’s library and information infrastructure relies upon more than books and computers, libraries, and other information centers. Although literacy and information technologies have long existed as part of China’s infrastructure, the social ideal of widespread access to information is remarkably recent and has largely been influenced by library collaboration and cooperation with other nations. Using a tripartite information access model, this article explores the role international collaborations played in building the foundations of physical, intellectual, and social infrastructures of libraries in China during the twentieth century and recommends future actions.