Expand the public information space of society: The Sustainable Development Model of Public Libraries in China in the 21st Century: The Sustainable Development Model of Public Libraries in China in the 21st Century

Author: Yu Liangzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: The book is divided into 8 chapters. Chapter 1 discusses the theoretical perspective of this research, which serves as the theoretical foundation for subsequent chapters. Chapter 2 provides a review of the current status and countermeasures of public library development both domestically and internationally. The diagnosis of the current status of library development and the classification of development countermeasures in this chapter form the starting point of the entire research. Chapter 3 discusses the background of the development of public libraries in China. It is both an initial application of the theoretical perspective of this research and the contextual material for understanding the data and findings in later chapters. Chapters 4 to 6 respectively examine the causes and issues of public library development in China, the effectiveness of self-development strategies for libraries, and the impact of support from key stakeholders in library development. Chapter 7 proposes management models, economic models, and functional models for the sustainable development of public libraries in China, based on the findings of the previous chapters. Chapter 8 summarizes all the findings of this research and offers recommendations for implementing sustainable development models for public libraries.
The book is set against the backdrop of the "low point" phenomenon in China's public libraries since the mid-1980s and the widespread challenges faced by public libraries worldwide. From the perspective of information political economy theory and political theory in library management, it employs various research methods such as literature review, interview research, questionnaire research, and scenario workshops to analyze the reasons behind the stagnation of China's public libraries over the past two decades. It examines the effectiveness of the self-development strategies adopted by public libraries in China at the current stage for sustainable development. It also analyzes the roles of key stakeholders—government, enterprises, and the public—in the development of libraries. Based on these findings, the book proposes a balanced model of self-development and social support for sustainable development of public libraries in China, including management models, economic models, and service function models.
The primary target audience for this book includes public library managers and staff, government personnel responsible for cultural affairs, researchers and educators in library science, as well as graduate and undergraduate students in library science programs at universities.