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.

Graduate education of library science in China:Current status and recommendations for improvement

More than twenty years ago,Wuhan University and Nanjing University offered library science(LS)graduate programs.Since then,LS graduate education has been growing quickly in many aspects.At the same time,however,LS graduate education was also facing enormous challenges stemming from the dynamic development and wide applications of information technologies into the pedagogical arena of teaching and learning at all levels.Social evolution also made it necessary for LS educators to re-examine once again their graduate education model,curricular composition,educational philosophy and educational missions.In analyzing the present situation of LS graduate education in China,this paper focuses on the following issues:1)Growing size of LS graduate education(quantity and quality);2)educational objectives,including research direction and placement for graduates;3)structure of knowledge and curricular construction;4)conditions of administering a library school of high quality and 5)the management of teaching resources.The keystone of this paper is to pinpoint where current library science curricular deficiencies are lying.It is hoped that more serious scholarly discussions and perhaps also even concerted efforts among LS scholars and library practioners may be evoked in having the graduate education system of library and information science thoroughly realigned for the informational needs of the 21st century.

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.