Page 132 - Journal of Library Science in China 2020 Vol.46

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Extended English abstracts of articles published in the Chinese edition of Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.46, 2020 131

On SHEN Zurong and SHEN Baohuan’s library science education thoughts
and the contemporary value
〇a*
XIAO Ximing & SHI Qinggong〇
SHEN Zurong (Tsu Yung Seng) and SHEN Baohuan are the pioneers of library science education
in Chinese mainland and Taiwan area respectively, whose library science education thoughts have
a far-reaching influence. This paper mainly adopts the methods of historical research and literature
research. By analyzing their works and original archives, related newspapers, biographies,
comments, interviews and other historical materials, and referring to relevant research, this
paper systematically explores the background and main content of their library science education
thoughts and their enlightenment to the reform and development of the contemporary library
science education.
The paper proposes that SHEN Zurong (Tsu Yung SENG) and SHEN Baohuan’s library science
education thoughts are formed firstly by the educational background of a blend of Chinese
traditional culture and Western culture, and secondly by the summary, refinement and sublimation
of their long experience in the library cause and library science education activities in different
time and space. Their education thoughts are rich in connotation and involve various aspects of
library science education. These thoughts are interrelated and complementary, thus forming an
ideological system that mainly includes: 1) The library cause is related to the rise and fall of the
country’s honor and disgrace, and the key to its development is to cultivate professionals; 2) The
localization of library science education is crucial and inevitable to promoting the development
of library science education in China. Foreign experience in library science education can be
referenced but not copied; 3) Library science education is a general education. In addition to the
professional knowledge of library science, students should also have some knowledge background
of other disciplines; 4) Library science education should emphasize the combination of theory
and practice and pay attention to cultivating students’ professional skills; 5) Library science
education should adopt a variety of teaching methods; 6) Library science education should move
with the times and constantly adapt to the changing needs of the society; 7) Library science
education should emphasize not only students’ professional knowledge and skills but also their
professionalism.
The contemporary value of SHEN Zurong (Tsu Yung SENG) and SHEN Baohuan’s library
science education thoughts lies in that: 1) They can inspire library science educators and students
to establish firm belief and professionalism in the library cause; 2) They will promote the
localization of library science education and build a library science education system with Chinese
characteristics; 3) They will enlighten us on the reform and development of the contemporary
library science education in China.

∗ Correspondence should be addressed to SHI Qinggong, Email: freesqg@163.com, ORCID: 0000-0002-8113-016X.