This paper traces a brief history of the development of American librarianship as a profession and examines the social climate from which it emerged. Several traditional and modern models of professionalism are discussed and applied to librarianship. Shortcomings of the profession, e.g., its scholarship and the non-prescriptive nature of its…

This examination of the professional goals of librarianship, in relation to various definitions of professionalism, arrives at the conclusion that librarianship's goals could lead to a more flexible set of professional standards focusing on librarianship itself, rather than on the field's symbolic representation. (MBR)

Discusses what makes occupations develop into professions, what prevents this development, and the functions that differentiate professional and paraprofessional library work. The factors that have influenced the development of paraprofessionalism in library and information work are examined, and paraprofessionalism in North American and…

Argues that changes in profession of librarianship reflect general changes in knowledge and work that are due to differentiation and structuralization of the subject disciplines. Introduction of automation, provision of information services that define user in terms of abstract categories, and orientation in school librarianship are highlighted.…

The meanings of professional and academic as qualifiers of librarians are discussed, arguing that if librarians in academic institutions are to be accorded a status comparable with that of faculty, they must be prepared to be assessed by the comparable and traditional means, namely qualifications, research, and publications. (14 references)…

Describes dominant political trends in librarianship, including the adoption of political neutrality as a means toward acquiring professional status, conservatism, and a willingness to allow government and business to define professional roles. It is argued that values of equity and public service, not the imperatives of technocracy and…

Reviews the social responsibilities traditionally recognized as directly related to librarianship and explores the question of whether librarians should take positions on broader social issues. Arguments on both sides are presented and some of the philosophical and professional concerns that should be addressed are discussed. (20 references) (CLB)

Reviews historical development, organization, and current concerns of health sciences librarians who serve in mental health institutions, agencies, and organizations. The mental health field, mental health libraries, education and training, professional status and standards, professional organizations, the library collection, and library…

Discussion of the profession of librarianship focuses on changes in the profession and the role of women. The deprofessionalization, or de-skilling, of cataloging through the use of automated systems is described; new labels for library and information work are examined; and the future of librarianship is considered. (28 references) (LRW)

Argues that, with the trend toward viewing reference librarians as information brokers and the reification and privatization of information, the traditional goals of libraries and librarianship are being lost, i.e., providing free and open access to books and information to promote informed democracy and the public good. (63 references) (EAM)

Examines roles of women in library education in three time periods: 1887-1923, 1924-1950, 1951-1985. Topics discussed include missionaries and mentors, library school founders, institutions offering graduate library schools, advanced degrees and publishing activity of women, women faculty, North American library school deans, and women presidents…

Examines traditional way women have been trained to establish identity and their inability to acquire and demonstrate power when applying for a position and suggests that these factors play significant role in lack of women in top academic library positions. Studies in business administration and psychological literature are examined. (40…