An Research On The Developmental History Of College Libraries In People's Republic Of China

Libraries,one of the three cornerstones of modern colleges,are playing a more and more important role.However,there is a great gap between Chinese college libraries and those in developed countries.The new development in China society has brought about new challenges.The author thinks that a healthy pattern will be found for Chinese college libraries if we could explore into the history of the development them and find out the law.Chinese college libraries have experienced a gradual development from quantitative change to qualitative change after liberation.It presents a continuous progress.According to the characteristics of its development the author divided the process into five stages,demonstrating and analyzing their achievements and features respectively.StageⅠRestoration and developing period(1949～1965)The founding of the People's Republic of China has brought about a good chance for college libraries.The state reinforced the management of libraries.College libraries ushered in a restoration period especially when the National Working Conference of College Libraries was held in 1956,at which their nature and mission were clearly stated.StageⅡBeing stagnated and destroyed period(1966～1976) College libraries unavoidably were affected by the Cultural Revolution.During this period they had to stop services and the clerks were persecuted.StageⅢThe reforming and reviving period(1978～1988)In 1978,the Ministry of Education issued "On Improving the Work of college Libraries" and "Regulations for College Libraries of the People's Republic of China" later.The National Committee of College Libraries were also set up during this period of time.Statistics showed that in 1988 China had 1,059 college libraries,5,795 department(institute) information(intelligence)room with a total construction area of 10,000 square meters. They carried out reform over management system and basic structure;services and efficiency were highly promoted;modernization and information of college libraries were initialed;The courses of document retrieval and use were offered and perfected gradually;Library Science education developed by leaps and bounds with perspective academic research.During this period,Chinese college libraries were flourishing from all aspects.StageⅣThe steadily developing period(1989～1998)Library premises were fundamentally changed with well-trained clerks and enhanced document information content construction.Assessments of libraries were fully conducted.Document retrieval and use teaching matured.Services got much more modernized and networked.StageⅤThe rapidly developing period(1999～)Enlarged enrollment in higher education has offered a new opportunity.All aspects of college libraries were promoted.In 2005 among 203 libraries on the list based on total construction area,104 were over 10,000 square meters with an average of 13,573.Even the smallest was more than 1,000 square meters.Great progress was achieved in library resources sharing system.From a careful illustration and analysis upon the development of college libraries in China after liberation,the author draws the conclusion that the following elements are fundamental to the healthy development of libraries:a stable social and political environment,a sound economic foundation,a scientific guideline,advanced science and technology and adapted to the development of it,an forceful legal system, improvement in services and cooperation.