Page 44 - Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.45, 2019

KE Ping & ZOU Jinhui / Library transformation in the post-knowledge service era 043

The change of environment from information service to knowledge service determines
the transformation of the library. Information technology, informatization and the theory of
information service have made full preparation for the transformation. The transformation started
in the pre-knowledge era, with the development from informatization to digitization. In the
information service era, the information chain is “Data-Information”. Now it develops into the
DIKW knowledge chain with “information into knowledge” as the center, and represented by
“Knowledge Intensive Business Service” (Miles, Mastrinos, Bilderbeek, Flanagan, Den Hertog, &
Huntink, 1998). The direct influence on the library transformation is shown as library information
service began to switch to knowledge services with highly informationization. As “the growing
point for library and information services in the 21st century” (X.L. Zhang, 2000), knowledge
service becomes a symbol of transformation. Various challenges transform the library and bring in
new operations. “The global library is transforming” (C.F. Chen & G. Wu, 2007).
At present knowledge service has entered the new era of post-knowledge service. The core of
post-knowledge service is intelligent service, which makes the intelligent chain of “data (D)-
Wisdom (W)” possible. In this era we need new knowledge axiology. That is, not all knowledge
has value and knowledge produces new value only in a specific field. As a result, the library must
create space suitable for knowledge innovation and intelligent services. We also need a new theory
of knowledge resources. More resources do not mean the better. Instead, the quality of resources
is more important. Therefore, the construction of convenient resources has become an important
theme of library resources development. Moreover, we need new knowledge management theory.
Data management and intelligent management will be integrated into knowledge management.
The library will construct a new paradigm of knowledge service based on the new theory, and
accomplish the transformation.

2 Driving force for transformation: External and internal driving forces in
the post-knowledge service era

In the history of library development, if the book collection house is included, the library has
realized transformations twice from ancient library, modern library to contemporary library. Similar
to previous transformations, the transformation from pre-knowledge service era to post-knowledge
service era is the transformation of the whole system. In addition to the profound impact of the
external social and industry environment, the internal and external driving forces exist inside and
outside the system, which combine together to lead to the transformation and development of the
library.

2.1 Technology drive

In the very beginning, technology influenced libraries only by promoting library reforms through