Page 58 - Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.47, 2021

XIAO Ximing & SHEN Ling / The historical development and contemporary construction 057
of the framework of fundamental theory of library science with Chinese characteristics

and methodological support for analyzing and solving problems in library science theoretical
research and application practice.
(7) The instrumental rationality and value rationality of library science
The instrumental rationality of library science mainly refers to the study of the library purely as
a tool and means, focusing on the role of technology in the development of the library, and actively
studying ways to improve the work efficiency of the library through various advanced technical
equipment and means. The value rationality of library science is mainly manifested in the pursuit
of the ultimate value goal of the library. It studies approaches of adopting the “human scale” to
guide and grasp the “object scale” in the practical activities of the library, and applies emotional,
aesthetic and humanized technical means to guide and engage in library practice [42] . Since the
mid-20th century, the extensive and successful application of modern information technology
in libraries has brought profound changes to the library community, but at the same time it has
also lead to people’s blind worship of technology, the expansion of instrumental rationality and
misunderstanding of value rationality in library science. Obviously, the imbalance between
instrumental rationality and value rationality will not only fail to promote the development of
the library, but will deviate from the “original aspiration” of the librarianship. The fundamental
theory of library science with Chinese characteristics should adhere to the people-oriented and
people-centered philosophy, and strive to serve people’s needs for a better life in the development
of librarianship. While actively researching and utilizing new technologies, we shall promote the
value rationality and humanistic spirit of library science, and seek the balance and integration of
instrumental rationality and value rationality.
(8) Library science research methods and methodology
Library science research methods are tools and means to discover new phenomena, put forward
new theories, and reveal the laws of things in library science research. Library science methodology
is a special study that takes library science research methods as the object. Philosophy is the
study of world outlook and methodology, while metatheory is often closely related to philosophy
because of its fundamental and profound nature. Therefore, library science research methods
and methodology are issues that should be discussed in library science metatheory. Domestic
research on library science methodology has been ignored until the 1980s. The viewpoints on
methodology research include “level theory”, “process theory” and “practical theory” [43] . Since
the beginning of the 21st century, in order to adapt to the new information environment, new
research methods such as bibliometrics and citation analysis have been widely applied in library
science research. However, “in the field of library science research, the issue of methodology
has not been completely resolved so far, and library science has not yet established its own set of
methodological system” [11]42 . Furthermore, it is worthy of study as to how we integrate Chinese
characteristics into the universal research method of library science.