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…

Offers definitions for four general categories of research--practical, bibliographical, scholarly, scientific--and discusses connections of research to librarianship, the introduction of scientific research methodology in librarianship, activities related to scientific research, users of research, faculty status, professional organizations and…

Discussion of the importance of research in library education highlights library schools as producers of research; quality and amount of faculty output; factors affecting faculty research activity; student research output (particularly that of doctoral students); schools as research educators; and schools, research, and the profession. Forty-one…

Describes operations research as an important management tool that can aid library managers in effectively using available resources and as a set of analytical tools that can enable researchers to better understand library and information services. Early history, definition, models, applications to libraries, and impact are noted. Twenty-five…

This review of major applications of economic theory and research methods to libraries provides overviews of economics of information and of library services, research related to supply of library services, research into demand for library services, finances and fees, and the library labor market. A 78-item bibliography is provided. (EJS)

Discussion of history as a major research methodology in library and information science highlights the current status and nature of library history; rhetoric and history; historical significance of local history and larger perspectives; primary and secondary information sources; library biography; and publishing library history. Thirty-four…

Six articles address: (1) the impact of science on the physical examination and treatment of books; (2) equipment for physical examination of books; (3) research using the cyclotron for historical analysis; (4) scientific analysis of paper and ink in early maps; (5) recent advances in automation; and (6) cataloging standards. (MES)

Discusses funding for library research (1964-84), including previous findings; problems in analyses of funding; activities of major research funding agencies (Higher Education Act of 1965 Title II-B, National Science Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Council on Library Resources); and funding by professional organizations. Problems and…

Describes a survey of accredited library schools' current education for children's, young adult, and school librarianship. Data and results are presented for course offerings, enrollment, faculty teaching responsibilities and research activities, and continuing education programs, and the findings are related to recent concerns about a lack of…

Provides an overview of public administration and its similarities to library and information science, and notes research themes in public administration (innovation, organizational development and change, decision-making and evaluation, personnel, financial concerns, marketing, dissertations). Future of public administration research and its…

Illustrates two types of studies undertaken in librarianship using political theories or concepts--institutionally focused and behaviorally focused. The nature of political inquiry, conceptual frameworks for understanding political science, methodology and research design, and explanations of the dearth of politically based research are discussed.…

Identifies and synthesizes literature on role modeling and the place of educators as role models in women's professional development. Results of survey of master's level library science students designed to ascertain existence and influence of role models and their gender in career choices are reported. Questionnaire is appended. (29 references)…

Describes the research objectives, rationale, methodology, and findings of a model program developed at the Northwestern University Library, which examined whether online catalogs require instruction and, if so, how that instruction would be best delivered. (CLB)

This review discusses major organizational theories used by researchers to investigate questions related to librarianship: libraries as bureaucracies; contingency theory; decision-making; design and structure; technology; organizational climate; research by social scientists; theory, research, practice. Development of organizational theory and its…

Improvement in the research climate in children's librarianship is needed. There must be a determined demand for research, financial and job support for researchers, improvement in the research techniques for studying children, and implementation of actual research projects. Particular concerns include research on reading, school/public library…