Page 61 - Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.47, 2021

060 Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.13, 2021

widespread application of the Internet and digital technology in libraries has profoundly changed
the format of library operation. In the recent ten years, the application of a series of emerging
technologies, such as big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence has promoted the
evolution of the library patterns. Therefore, it is natural to see people’s favor and enthusiasm for
technology in library science research, which reflects the scientific spirit that library science should
possess. However, the fundamental theory of library science needs to reflect on the relationship
between technology and library in a more rational perspective, such as: what the ultimate purpose
of technology applied to the library is, and while improving the efficiency of library work, in
what ways the application of technology can better satisfy the patron or the public’s information,
knowledge and cultural needs, and how technology can promote equitable access to information
resources, etc. Additionally, with regard to technology application in libraries, there also arise
legal, institutional and management issues, such as intellectual property rights, information
security, and information ethics. The theories related to these issues also require theoretical support
from the fundamental theories of library science.
(7) Library spirit and library development
The reason why the study of library spirit has received special attention is that since the late
1980s, the application of advanced information technology and equipment in libraries has become
increasingly extensive, but for a long period of time, there is no significant improvement in both
the library services and the professionalism of librarians. This phenomenon prompts people to
realize that the development of librarianship is not sufficient to rely on “physical factors”, it
also needs attention to the “people”: including users and librarians, as American scholar Holley
[49]
says: “Our professional basis is a humanistic profession, and our goal is essentially people.”
The library community needs to have a strong inner motivation. Therefore, the library spirit “has
become an important topic of both theoretical and practical value in the fundamental theoretical
research of library science, and it is also the internal driving force for the development of
[50]
librarianship” . Additionally, the patriotism and dedication advocated in the spirit of the library
are also an important part of socialist core values.

3.3 Library governance theory

Modernizing China’s system and capacity for governance is the general objective of
comprehensively deepening of reforms put forward by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC
Central Committee. The library sector is an important component of national scientific, educational
and cultural undertakings, and library governance is also part of the national governance system.
Library governance is different from library management. Library management is the planning,
organizing, coordinating, commanding, controlling and supervising activities conducted in the
library to maintain the effective operation of the institution, which belongs to the category of
applied library science. Library governance is “to establish an institutional system to scientifically