安徽大学历史系林衍经教授在《史志研究》1998年第1期上撰文《略论地方志的兴利功能》,认为地方志除具有存史、资治、教化三方面功能外,还具有兴利功能。所谓兴利功能,“用改革开放的眼光看,是在“沟通信息和文化交流方面的作用”。林教授分析了地方志书在海峡两岸交往中的作用和地方志走出国门,走向世界,在世界文化交流中为国际学术界提供中华文化丰富的资料,向世界 History Department of Anhui University, Professor Lin Yan in the “Shi study” 1998 the first issue of “a book on the prosperous function of local history”, that local chronicles in addition to save history, funding, education three functions, but also has the function of Xing . The so-called Xing-li function, “with the perspective of reform and opening up, is” in the communication of information and cultural exchange. "Professor Lin analyzed the role of local records in the cross-Strait exchanges and local history go out of the country, to the world, in the world culture Exchange for the international academic community to provide Chinese culture-rich information to the world