The interaction between Library Science Education and the society in China over the past century

Library Science Education(LSE) in China has undergone almost one hundred years. This paper discusses and explores the development of the LSE and its interaction with the society in mainly three historical periods. On one hand, this paper analyzes the influences of the social, economic, political, educational, cultural, and scientific and technological environments on LSE’s system, scale, thought, mode, and content from a theoretical perspective;on the other hand, it points out that the LSE promoted and supported the development of the society through cultivating talents and disseminating knowledge. LSE had cultivated a number of outstanding professionals during the period of Republic of China(1911-1949). However, due to the lack of a good interaction with the society, the development of LSE was constrained by the social environment in this period. From 1950 to 1977, the development of the LSE was still relatively slow in spite of the improved social environment in China. From 1978 to present, the LSE has made remarkable contributions to the Chinese society as a result of fundamental social changes in China. This paper proposes that, in order to establish a good interaction between the LSE and the society in China, it is necessary to ensure the unity of self-independence and social dependence, instrument rationality and value rationality, dynamism and stability of the LSE.