Page 55 - Journal of Library Science in China 2020 Vol.46

054 Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.12, 2020

of being utilized and constrained by the ecosystem (P. XIAO, 2020).
In-depth study of the above question is not easy. As a public institution, the library has its unique
characteristics which make it difficult to fully stimulate professional potentials. Just at the moment
calling for introspection, the COVID-19 broke out. Papers on anti-pandemic increased sharply,
but no one noted that the pandemic as a disaster also created the severe environment for librarians
to observe and introspect. In natural science research, scientists have to explore the space, polar
region and deep sea to acquire the cutting-edge data in severe environments. For the library science
subordinate to social sciences, the severe environment is worth our concern. In the tough times
we may be endowed with the chance to examine the true connotations and future directions of
professionalism of the library.
With the above considerations, the author starts from the local perspective and replays the
professional performance of libraries in Wuhan in the anti-pandemic practice. The author also
attends to the professionalism from libraries and stakeholders respectively. Drawing on anti-
pandemic experience of the global library community, the professionalism of the library in the
new era is observed in a more comprehensive and macro way. Through analyses of the above two
aspects, the author tries to answer the raised question.

2 Replay: The professional anti-pandemic practice in libraries in Wuhan

At the outbreak of the COVID-19, it is the responsibility and mission of everyone and every
institution to participate in pandemic prevention and resistance practice. It is well known that
the Hubei Province was greatly influenced by the COVID-19 and Wuhan was at the center of
battlefield of pandemic prevention and control. After the outbreak of the pandemic, libraries in
Wuhan responded actively to the call of the Party and the Government and conducted emergency
management. Putting priority on the COVID-19, emergency group was set up instantly. Librarians
went to the community to help combat the pandemic. Librarians bore in mind their professional
duties, continued to provide services during the closure of libraries and played their roles in
fighting against the COVID-19. The decisions and actions were tests for the librarians’ professional
spirit, but also a thorough review of professional skills and literacy. Libraries in China worked
together with Wuhan libraries in solidarity. 353 libraries donated over 500, 000 items of medical
supplies, which manifests the professional spirit of Chinese librarians. The relay indicates that
the professionalism of libraries in Wuhan in anti-pandemic practice is mainly represented in three
aspects: system, service and resources.

2.1 Professional system: A combination of overall arrangement and fallback

In recent years, the library service system has been improving, which constitutes the complete
service architecture so that we can take actions at the critical moment and play the due role. The