In the Qing Dynasty, the places where ordinary teenagers really studied and received education, except voluntary schools, were generally local or private schools. Therefore, private schools developed in the Qing dynasty and spread all over urban and rural areas.

Private schools in Qing dynasty were distinguished by the source of funds. One is to hire a teacher for a wealthy family to tutor their children, which is called a library or a home school.

Second, local and clan donate money to study fields, hire teachers to set up schools and educate poor children, which is called village studies and clan studies;

Those who set up private libraries for teachers to teach students for a fee are called door libraries, teaching libraries, learning libraries, bookstores or private schools.