Abstract:

The concept of “readers as a library resource” and its development is taking shape in the 21st century. It has connections with and distinction from library resource, user resource, social resource, social capital and so forth. The research field involves its effects, categories, features, distribution, development, utilization and measurement, whereas its connotation includes knowledge resource, human resource, relationship resource and asset resource, with the characteristics of being tacit, dynamic, unstable, scarce and self-organized. Perceiving readers as library resource will be significant for the innovation of library science and librarianship. While methods differ, the successful cases are all well received in the library circle, where competitiveness of the libraries concerned is well enhanced.

Key words: Reader as library resource, Reader resource development, Library resource, Social network, Social capital