Page 62 - Journal of Library Science in China 2020 Vol.46

LI Jingxia & LI Zhenwu / Inquiring into and reflecting on library professionalism in the new era: 061
Taking Wuhan public libraries’ anti-pandemic practice as an example

4.2 To be the leader of the library ecosystem

The library ecosystem is an insightful conception, which expounds the complicate relationship
between libraries, associate library partners and external stakeholders. It also makes clear that
the deprofessionalization is a timebomb that cannot be neglected despite that the librarianship is
making progress. Only by improving the professionalism of librarians can the librarianship realize
sustainable development. One of the professional abilities of librarians in the new era is to learn to
deal with the library ecosystem and fulfill its positive role, which is showcased in the development
of “home of the makeshift” by the Qiaokou District Library. Certainly we should also instruct and
normalize activities of cooperative partners.
To be the leader of the library ecosystem is the most fundamental role. Only if librarians succeed
in this role can they fulfill the other four roles.

4.3 To be the professional promoter of reading

In February 2020, a man went viral because he kept reading when receiving treatment in quarantine
in the makeshift hospital, which revealed to the society the appeal of reading. The popular book
corners helped the public realize the power of books. It is the mission of librarians to promote
books and reading. According to Article 3 in The Public Library Law of the People’s Republic of
China, “as a significant component of the socialist public cultural service system, public libraries
should take promoting, guiding and serving nationwide reading as their important tasks” (“The
public library law of the People’s Republic of China”, 2020). To be the professional promoter of
reading is not only the requirement of changes of external environment but also key measures of
librarians to respond to the national law.

4.4 To be an information enabler bridging the information divide

Traditionally, the information divide resides between people who can acquire information and
those who cannot. At present the Internet is available for the public in general. Although the
traditional information divide still exists, new divide emerges. For instance, a new divide resided
between people who can tell the true information and those who cannot. Rumors disturbed people’s
mind and had a negative role on society. For one thing, rumors spread because the sources of
modern information are ubiquitous. For another, it also demonstrates that the information literacy
of the society needs improving.
The librarian should be an information enabler bridging the information divide to provide
users accurate information and better their understanding of retrieval techniques and information
products. For example, when the Shanghai Library shut down during the pandemic, it founded
the column “Information on Anti-COVID” on the “Shanghai Library messenger”, the WeChat