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…

This discussion of the place of research in the field of library science notes empirical and scientific research; testing, analysis, and research design; theories and methodologies from other disciplines; the dilemma of quantification; library research needs; and the search for an audience. Twenty-six references are cited. (EJS)

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…

Identifies and describes major sources of information on the life and work of Ranganathan, the leader of the Indian library movement and a major contributor to the fields of library and information science. (CLB)

Based on research studies from fields of education, social organization, and logic, this article argues that the study of organization of knowledge has important implications for students' general intellectual development. Recurring stages of intellectual development are outlined, and implications for improving quality of library school education…

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)…

Reports on a study which examined a random sample of library science Ph.D.s who received their degrees between 1969 and 1979 to compare publishing histories of males and females with regard to quantity and type of publication. Results of data analyses are presented in five tables. (15 references) (MES)

Presents an overview of the field of comparative librarianship, i.e., systematic analysis of library development, practices, or problems as they occur under different circumstances, most usually in different countries in context of relevant background factors. Highlights include definition, purposes, research methodology, problems, and possible…

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…

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)

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…

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…

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 report examines the 1984 library and information science literature in order to characterize, analyze, and evaluate the published research of the field. The subjects and methods of research, types of libraries studied, and analytical techniques used are examined; a "core" journal group of 91 sources is established; and the amount…

Examines the literature on the myth of "hard science-soft science" as a means of defining scientific specialties and classifying science literature, and discusses some shortcomings of scholarship in library and information science. Use of Toulmin's categorization of sciences to organize the literature and provide access for scientists is…