Page 35 - Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.47, 2021

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China and improve the influence of Chinese culture.
(2) Educational value
In Pearson’s (a renowned English scientist) words, “Modern Science, as training the mind
to an exact and impartial analysis of facts, is an education specially fitted to promote sound
[41]
citizenship.” The same goes for the library science, which has more unique educational value.
Firstly, books perform the function of educating people, which have been the materials and
tools for education whether in family education or school education. In the ideological system of
library science in China, books were used for public education, such as the Six Classics. YANG
Zhaozhe held that the library was effective in intellectual education, emotional education and
moral education. He brought up the new concept of “library education” [2]47 , which systematically
elaborated the relationship between library and family education, school education as well as
social education. HONG Youfeng believed that the library could help promote the growth of
knowledge for educatees who were receiving or had received school education . DU Dingyou
[42]
[43]
considered libraries as the cultivation center of scholars, public culture and universal education .
LI Xiaoyuan even proposed that “library is education” [39]4 . Modern libraries lay more emphasis on
educational significance and regard ideology as an important criterion for evaluating libraries.
Secondly, the library is the people’s university. Ancient library science attached great importance
to library’s function of training national talents, while modern library science emphasizes that
the library belongs to the public. Discussing the close relationship between the library and
education, LI Dazhao proposed that “the whole country should be transformed to a library or
research office” , while XU Xu held that public library “is the most appropriate institution for
[44]
[45]
implementing public education” . The library as a place of lifelong education, its value lies in
cultivating talents, which is the educational function endowed by Chinese library science.
Thirdly, reading guidance is a fundamental concept in the ideological system of Chinese
library science, which is of great practical significance for promoting the nationwide reading and
improving public literacy. According to the idea of reading guidance, the aim of public education is
not to read and acquire knowledge for enhancing abilities of professional competition, but to read
and cultivate ourselves, making reading a kind of lifestyle and enriching spirits.
Fourthly, literacy education becomes increasingly important in modern society and library
science thoughts provide guidance. Information literacy education developed on the basis of
information retrieval has become a prominent field of library science research. Book culture
literacy and reading literacy are incorporated into the literacy education system, which is not only
related to the overall improvement of individual quality but also related to the educational and
literacy level of the whole nation.
(3) Scientific value
Library science is a subject with interdisciplinary characteristics. It not only has the basic
characteristics of modern science and produces scientific value but also performs the function of
recording knowledge and science. “Library science specializes in the production, preservation and