Page 29 - Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.47, 2021

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classification. Therefore, the first-generation librarians of modern library science began to imitate
the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and reform it as well as developing local classification
tools, which displayed the eclectic methodology. The second generation of librarians inherited the
classification thought, established standards and created modern classification tools and methods
such as Chinese Library Classification, Classification for Library of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences and Classification for Library of the People’s University of China. Although modern
library science absorbed the western ideas of classification, cataloging and modern methods of
information organization, the Chinese thoughts of classification are unique in the world, which are
not only the contribution of ancient librarians but also that of modern librarians.
From the perspective of academic culture, Chinese classifications are the combination
of inheritance and innovation as well as inclusiveness and localization, just as other library
science thoughts. From “imitating DDC” and “reforming DDC” to establishing the own modern
classification system of China, the library science has embarked on the road of innovation with
Chinese characteristics.
Because of the symbiotic relationship between collation, bibliography and library science,
Chinese library science incorporated bibliography into the system of library science. DU Dingyou
put it, “bibliography and collation have long existed in China, which resembles library science,
but quite different in content”, “the objective of the library has changed and the scope has been
enlarged. Bibliography is only a component of library science” [9]39 . LIU Guojun constructed
the system of early modern library science in China. He put forward that “library science is the
discipline that studies three laws in libraries (laws of organization, management and utilization)”
He proposed two ways to categorize the scope of library science, the four essential elements
and three aspects (that is, cataloging, administration and technology) [7]1-9 , which incorporated
bibliography into the library science system. CHENG Boqun categorized the scope of library
science into four parts: library administration, library technology, classification and cataloging, and
[26]
textual bibliography . Textual bibliography included book history, printing history, bibliography,
collation, stone rubbings, editions, and library history, which obviously covered culture related to
books.
China’s five-thousand-year civilization and culture not only fostered good academic environment
and growth conditions for the establishment of library science which gave birth to classification
thoughts with rich connotations, but also provided huge social demands and driving forces
for the development of library science which produced the thought of reading guidance with
characteristics of that particular time.
Reading guidance was rooted in the elaboration of the function of books by collation and
bibliography, from the idea of “scholars in ancient times studied part-time and did farm work part-
time” in Books of Han· Yi Wen Zhi to “scholars are propagators of books which help to inculcate
[27]
the people, which are all tools of governance” in Books of Sui· Jing Ji Zhi , from the “shu xu”
in the Warring State period to the guidance word of “readable” in Bie Lu in the Han Dynasty,