The value of research to library and information science (LIS) practice and the need to build a culture of research within the profession are well documented. Research informs decision-making, supports strategy and planning, and ensures that LIS services remain relevant to changing community needs. Yet a vibrant research culture is present in only…

The paper aims to bring out the problems and prospects of the professional development opportunities of academic library professionals in the Universities in Kerala. The study is a part of research undertaken to survey the professional development activities and educational needs of library professionals in the major Universities of Kerala in the…

The study aims to explore the professional activities, needed competencies and education/training needs of medical librarians in Pakistan. The following questions guided the study: what are the current professional activities of medical librarians in Pakistan? What is their perception of the competencies needed of medical librarians? And what are…

Discusses the role of the media librarian in the transition from print-awareness to media-awareness, pointing out the media skills they need and the lack of instruction in these skills in library schools. (EJS)

Discusses the importance of continuing education--post-degree education helping to produce an additional competency in the student--for librarians, and briefly reviews the availability of professional continuing education programs in Canadian library schools. (CWM)

Describes a survey that asked alumni of the Kent State University School of Library Science to rate 53 identified library science competencies needed by new graduates. Competency ratings overall and by type of librarian are presented, and the implications for curriculum design are discussed. A list of the 53 competencies rated is appended. (22…

Discusses the results of a survey of the accredited library schools of Canada regarding the schools' administrative and organizational approaches to providing continuing education programs for librarians. (CHC)

Questions whether current training for two-year college librarians prepares them for future information technologies. Discusses the characterizing features of good two-year college librarians. Recommends professional coursework for potential community college librarians including an introduction to the history and philosophy of the community…

This essay summarizes the educational needs of library science students in the areas of computers and technology in four student profiles--general librarian, librarian with technical responsibilities, technical expert with library responsibilities, and technical expert. Recognition of these needs can help set priorities and guide curriculum…

Discusses the need for multiculturalism to be a part of the library science curriculum to prepare librarians for work in culturally diverse societies and library environments. Reports results of a library school survey on the issue of multiculturalism as it relates to curriculum modification or revision. The survey's questionnaire is appended.…

Analyzes opinions of public library directors regarding library competencies that are most important for entry-level librarians now and in future; competencies that are most important to specializations within library; number of current library school graduates adequately possessing competencies; and where competencies should be acquired.…

Discusses curriculum theory in the context of professional education for library and information science, and outlines steps necessary for curriculum planning: (1) diagnosis of needs; (2) formulation of objectives; (3) selection of content from the universe of knowledge; (4) selection of learning experience; (5) organization of learning materials;…

This study investigated the post-master's educational needs and interests of information professionals. The population for the study consisted of members of the library associations of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Ontario, Canada. About 78 percent of the respondents held a master's degree in library science, 22 percent a master's degree in another…

This discussion of experimental information retrieval focuses on the mathematical and statistical skills needed by students in librarianship and information studies. Theoretical approaches to document representation, query representation, database searching, and evaluation are reviewed, and changes in library schools' curriculum are suggested.…

Discuses results of a survey of the continuing education needs of science and technology librarians that was conducted by the Science and Technology Section (STS) of the ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries). Highlights include instructional techniques; technology; teaching information literacy; and electronic resources. (Author/LRW)