Recently, Foundations of Library Science, edited by Ximing Xiao and Gang Wu, both are teachers of our School, was grandly published by Wuhan University Press. This book, as a supporting teaching material for the introductory course of library science, belongs to the foundations of library science theory, and it is an attempt to build a theoretical system of library science with Chinese characteristics.
The book consists of four parts: the theory of library science meta-theory, the theory of library development, the theory of library governance and the theory of library occupation, thus constructing a theoretical system of library science with contemporary Chinese characteristics.
The book’s characteristics are reflected in four aspects: firstly, the cultural origin, this book draws on Chinese traditional culture and academic wisdom. Secondly, the actual national conditions, this book is based on the actual national conditions and reflects the problem-sloving orientation. Thirdly, the discourse system, this book focuses on building its own discourse system, and with the development of the times, it puts forward new concept categories, new theoretical propositions and new theoretical judgments. Fourthly, the awareness of academic theory. The basic theory of library science condensed in this book is with highly generality and stability, which can reflect the basic characteristics of Chinese library science research and practice and the basic concept of logical starting point.
Foundations of Library Science is a theory that guides all branches of library science. The theories, concepts and the systems and decisions made on this basis are very important for the development of libraries and librarianship. As a key construction teaching material of Wuhan University, this book has aroused widespread concern in the library academic and industrial communities once it was published.