Compilation
The compilation of the first set of Siku Quanshu was a major project that lasted ten years.

                                    1. Organization
Compilation of the Siku Quanshu was organized into three main departments, namely the Editorial Department, the Transcription Department and the Production Department. These Departments were respectively responsible for the collecting of books or manuscript. To compile the classical literature, 300 scholars and experts plus 3,800 scribes were recruited.
                                        2. Administration
The Chief Executive Officer, Aixinjueluo Yongrong and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Jin Jian were on the top of the hierarchy. At the next level were the Chief Editorial Officer, Ji Yun underpinned by the Bibliography Officers and Editorial Officers; the Chief Reviewing Officer, Xie Yong; the Chief Proof-reading Officer, Lu Fei Chi underpinned by Proof-reading
Officers (First Proof) and Proof-reading Officers (Second Proof); Administrative Officer, Meng Ji underpinned by Collating Officers and Production Officers.
                                        3. Supervision
In order to ensure a successful process, Emperor Qianlong enforced his officials to setup a supervisory system and a reward and punishment scheme. Emperor Qianlong himself supervised the whole process of the giganic work together with regular inspections by specially assigned Court Officers. Rewards were in form of material gifts or official honour while punishments
included salary deduction or confinement.
                                        4. Time span
Starting from the open solicitation of literature, it took ten years to finish the compilation of the first set of Siku Quanshu and another eight years to produce six additional transcripts.
                                        5. Name
Following the example set by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong adopted the term Siku which represents the "Four Treasuries" of Jing, Shi, Zi and Ji , a broad classification to divide all knowledge into four main branches. In order to signify this collection as the continuation of the past and a beginning for the future, the term Quanshu literally meaning ¡§Complete Collection¡¨ was added.
                                        6. Binding
Four different colours were respectively used for the cover of each volume, green for Jing, red for Shi, blue for Zi and grey for Ji. However, yellow was used for a separate volume consisting of the Siku Quanshu General Catalogue (Siku Quanshu Zong Mulu) and the Siku Quanshu Textual Validity  (Siku Quanshu Kaozheng).
                                        7. Conserving
Emperor Qianlong ordered libraries to be built for each complete set of Siku Quanshu. All volumes of Siku Quanshu were put in folders made of wood from nanmu trees for aesthetic appeal as well as for pest and humidity control. As of today only three of the seven sets of Siku Quanshu were kept completely, the others were all damaged or destroyed during the wars.
                                        8. Supplementary compilation
Siku Quanshu General Catalogue (Siku Quanshu Zong Mulu), AD1773 Concise Siku Quanshu General Catalogue (Siku Quanshu Zongmu Tiyao), AD1774 Siku Quanshu Textual Validity (Siku Quanshu Kaozheng), AD1774

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