The first of two articles provides an introduction to this issue. The second article discusses the key issues in rare book librarianship over the past 50 years, including acquisition, care, handling, storage, preservation, cataloging, classifying, processing, circulation, security, and training. Both references and a 77-item bibliography are…

Six myths regarding libraries are discussed: libraries are at center of intellectual life; book is sacred; libraries are responsive to information needs of various publics; objective evaluation is common decision-making practice; librarianship model fosters active client-oriented behaviors; library school education alone provides sufficient…

This study is a sequel to "Metalibrarianship." The previous work formulated a specific model for the philosophical interpretation of librarianship, and the present essay provides a wide-ranging reference to different views on the philosophy of librarianship. The review of philosophical viewpoints about library information science (LIS)…

This study examined the importance of negative searching, or searching to discover topics not previously explored in writing, and its oversight in the library literature. A survey of university faculty revealed a tendency to view negative searching as necessary to scholarly endeavors, but an online literature search showed little discussion of…

Discusses two articles addressing the problem of how to read and evaluate library research in a critical, consumer-oriented manner: Margaret Hayes Grazier's "Critically Reading and Applying Research in School Library Media Centers" (1982) and M. Carl Drott's "How to Read Research: An Approach to the Literature for Practitioners" (1984). (EJS)

Discusses the historical backgrounds of and differences between the library and archival professions, common problems linking the two professions today, and the feasibility of a common education stressing information science as the basis of the two professions. (CLB)

This examination of the literature on doctoral programs, dissertations, and graduates in library and information science identifies trends in the establishment and development of these programs, as well as overriding themes in the literature during three time periods based on the publication of the landmark Danton report in 1959. (CLB)

Within the last 20 or 30 years, some technologies have mushroomed that have not only revolutionized the discipline and practice of librarianship and information management, but also christened our age as the Information Age. This paper identifies the technological breakthroughs that ushered in the Information Age and are transforming librarianship…

Explores and critiques an information paradigm that is currently being proposed in the library literature, and looks at its potential impact on research and policy issues of major concern to librarians and library educators. (CLB)

This five-article section on current issues in reference and adult services highlights origins of American Library Association's Reference and Adult Services Division, history and development of RQ's column "The Exchange," 25 years of adult services articles, documents reference service and changing attitudes of librarians, and library…

Explores reasons for lack of attention in library school curricula to education for bibliographic instruction in libraries and presents brief overview of instructional program at Faculty of Library Science, University of Alberta, Canada. Developments in education for bibliographic instruction and possible solutions to problem areas are covered.…

This special issue includes articles on the image of the library science profession and librarians; leadership; the proposed federal standards for librarian positions; international outreach and nontraditional career opportunities for holders of MLS degrees; certification for media specialists, and enhanced status for catalogers with the use of…

Describes a study done by Herbert White that resulted in rankings of library and information science programs based on perceptual assessments by faculty and library directors. Problems with this methodology are discussed, and further findings based on extensive interviews with subjects of the White study are reported. (CLB)

Emphasizes the importance of good management for libraries and need to train librarians as managers. Difficulties librarians have faced in becoming managers, types of education being offered to librarians both in library schools and continuing education programs, and useful teaching methods for management study are highlighted. Twenty-seven…

Examines results of questionnaire given to library science graduate students over three-year period to determine why they chose librarianship as a career. Personal contact by librarians and school-specific factors (geographic proximity, reputation) are discussed and implications for recruitment of diverse and qualified applicants to library…