Library science education and the competitiveness of its graduates:A survey and an analysis of Chinese library directors' perceptions

These authors have made a sampling survey of professional qualifications of library directors of various types of libraries in China.The subject coverage of this survey includes but not limited to the pattern of library position distribution and work conditions of those library science degree holders.It also studies such matters as the occupational roles of library science graduates in the library,the influencing factors of their professional competency(as it is perceived by library directors),library directors' opinion about the core curriculum of library science educational programs,etc.On the basis of this survey result and analysis,these authors attempt to show how Chinese librarians' professional competency can be identified and nurtured to a higher level of attainment.

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.

Eight major problems in the development of the librarianship in China

In order to clarify the new task of the new era,new technology and new demand for the present Chinese librarianship,we should recognize the general direction of the development of the librarianship.This article puts forward eight major problems that affect the work of the library and the education and research of the library science:how to deal with the opportunities and challenges;how to improve the legal system of the library;how to deal with the application of new technology;how to strengthen the service capacity;how to improve the quality of library work;how to promote the joint construction and sharing of information resources in the crossing systems and interdepartmental libraries;how to mobilize social forces to run the library and how to strengthen the education and research of library science.This paper analyzes these problems by using the method of literature analysis and historical research.It was found that we should promote the sustainable development of the librarianship in accord with law,utilize new technologies to help to fulfill the core values and functions of the library,improve the service capabilities and quality of libraries as well as the level of the joint construction and sharing of information resources,tie up the connection and interaction among libraries and all levels of society,stick to the core content of the library science,and expand the core principles to the relevant and new information fields in time.Through the research and teaching of professional problems,the professionals of the library and related departments should be trained to promote the librarianship steadily.