Abstract: [Purpose/Significance] To explore the historical roots of library's social value, this study summarizes the content and characteristics of library's social value in the Republic of China period based on historical documents, and reveals the relationship between various values. [Design/Methodology] This study uses literature analysis and Grounded Theory to explore the social value cognition of libraries in the Republic of China period through the relevant discussions of library academic circles and industry at the time, such as library journals and library science journals. [Findings/Conclusion] This paper constructs a model of social value content system of libraries in the Republic of China period, and extracts the social value of library during that period in the aspects of literature collection, management and utilization, educational development, cultural promotion, social progress, national character cultivation and national revival. It is characterized by keeping up with social development, emphasizing educational value, focusing on the intellectual development of the people and pursuing for national revival. [Originality/Value] This study employs the Grounded Theory to examine the library history in the Republic of China period, aiming to explore the real cognition of the society to the library in a specific historical context. It systematically summarizes the social value of libraries during that period and provides enlightenment and reference for the contemporary library development.

Keywords: Library, Social value, The Republic of China period, Grounded Theory