Special Library Theory

Author: Chief Editor: Song Anli
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-10-01
Features: Excerpt: A Theoretical Reflection: New Directions for Libraries in the Period of Social Transformation【Preface】 The social practice of the emergence and development of Chinese-style libraries has once again proven a truth: the true driving force behind the advancement of any endeavor is undoubtedly the special demand for it from society. In the face of a transformation centered on economic development, traditional public libraries have somewhat shown a lack of capacity. However, it is encouraging to find that specialty libraries, derived from public libraries, no longer have a one-size-fits-all model in their library operations; in terms of service methods, they seem to have the flexibility to navigate with ease. As time entered the 1990s, a new phenomenon emerged in China's library field—specialty libraries. Their appearance brought vitality and dynamism to the development of China's library cause.
I. Specialty Libraries Born in Response to the Times
(I) The Challenge Facing Traditional Library Paradigms
Libraries are not an isolated paradise; they are an integral part of the social organism. The development and transformation of society encompass those of libraries and also influence them. Libraries must participate in the grand cycle of socio-economic development. With the continuous acceleration of China's reform and opening-up process, the coordination and development among various sectors of society are undergoing profound changes. The 14th National Congress proposed that the goal of China's economic system reform is to establish a socialist market economy system. The scope of market regulation in socialist economic activities is continuously expanding, and the function of the market mechanism is also continuously strengthening. Under the influence of the market mechanism, the readjustment and redistribution of interests across various aspects have presented the library field with both favorable development opportunities and extremely severe challenges. Librarians began to feel the strong shock and impact it had on themselves step by step. How can libraries adapt to the current situation? How can they achieve healthy development? The solution lies in deepening reforms. Only by deepening reforms can libraries adapt to social changes and the market economy. For a long time, the library field has been accustomed to a series of concepts and policies under the planned economy system. Therefore, in the face of the wave of reforms, many people were at a loss, hesitating and indecisive. Certain traditional concepts, such as "waiting, relying, and asking for handouts," seeking stability and fearing chaos, closed-mindedness and conservatism, and prioritizing collection over use, have firmly bound the hands and feet of libraries, making library reforms difficult, relatively lagging, and hard to deepen, giving the impression of being "half a beat behind." As a result, the so-called "low point" or "slump" phenomenon of libraries in the mid-1980s emerged.
(II) Reflections After Falling into a Slump
After the reform and opening-up, China's national economy developed rapidly, and all sectors showed vigorous vitality. The library cause also achieved significant growth. In 1977, there were 1,020 public libraries at or above the county level across the country. By 1980, this number had increased to 1,732, and by 1996, it had reached over 2,600, with the scale of the library cause rapidly expanding. In 1978, the total floor area of public libraries at or above the county level across the country was 650,000 square meters. By 1991, it had reached 3.49 million square meters, with the area of library buildings rapidly increasing and material conditions continuously improving. The library cause could be described as flourishing and prosperous. However, behind this facade of prosperity, the further development of libraries concealed severe crises. From a macro perspective, the library cause had indeed achieved rapid development, but individual libraries, after steady growth in the early 1980s, began to face survival crises. Due to obvious malnutrition and insufficient blood supply, many libraries were in a "shock" state. As a result, the "low point theory" emerged in the library field. Although some criticized this theory, whether it was scientifically sound or factually accurate, the difficulties faced by libraries were undeniable.