Transition of Library and Information Science Education in China: Problems and Perspective

Abstract Library and information science education in China is in a period of transition. The changes in the social, economic and technological environment have introduced new requirements for the professional personnel. The growth of the information industry and the expansion of the labor market have motivated schools of library and information science to adjust their objectives, curriculum and knowledge structure in order to meet social needs. This article discusses the changing social environment in the 1990s and the challenges to professional education, and responses from schools. Based on the curriculum of 17 schools of library and information science in China provided at the Second Joint Annual Meeting of Deans held in 1995, the author provides data on required courses, specialized elective courses and non-specialized courses according to the frequency of each course appearing in the curriculum. The objectives are to determine the state-of-the-art structure of the knowledge base and to identify any consensus among teaching institutions. The difficulties and problems in educational reform are discussed and some trends in professional education in China are predicted.