The queen of the modern library movement in China: Mary Elizabeth Wood

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the great contributions made by the Americanrnlibrary expert, Mary Elizabeth Wood, to Chinese library development.rnDesign/methodology/approach - As a pioneer of the modern library movement Mary ElizabethrnWood devoted herself to a Chinese library career. It was structured according to the following theme:rnsetting up the Boone Library and introducing the modern American public library into China;rnestablishing Boone Library School and initiating Chinese library science education; raising moneyrnand appealing for China's library development; helping forward the foundation of the LibraryrnAssociation of China; as well as promoting Chinese library intercommunion and cooperation with thernWest.rnFindings - With the background of underdeveloped Chinese librarianship, Mary Elizabeth Woodrnintroduced modern American public library spirit into China, opened the gate of Chinese libraryrnscience, and promoted Chinese library science.rnResearch limitations/implications - The paper discusses the library history of China and thernrole of an American librarian in Chinese library history; thus, it should be of wide interest tornresearchers involved in library history.rnOriginality/value - Mary Elizabeth Wood devoted herself to a Chinese library career, and promotedrnChinese library science greatly, but research on her is limited. This paper considers her contributionrnto Chinese library science.