Examines the historical background of the journal "Libraries & Culture," formerly known as "Journal of Library History." Discusses a shift in focus from the library profession to the literary humanities and the history profession, and considers the evolution of library history in the last third of the twentieth century. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the Library History Seminars, founded by Louis Shores, focuses on various characteristics of the first nine seminar participants, including their gender and institutional affiliation. Analyzes the data to provide a picture of who does library history and how the discipline's research interests have evolved over the past 30 years.…

Identifies tools most useful in the library historian's workshop, particularly those of a bibliographic, reference, or documentary nature. Highlights include bibliographic tools and the formative years of librarianship; sources of current scholarship; reference sources, including minority voices; documentary materials; and historians in…

Describes a study that examined two characteristics of authorship--the gender of the authors and their institutional affiliation--to see who is producing published research in the field of library history. The results of an analysis of articles, technical notes, and reviews from 23 years of "Library and Culture" are discussed. (two…

For over seven decades, library history in Russia has been considered a Soviet branch of science known as the "history of librarianship" and it has been isolated from the world science community. This article examines the degree to which Russian library historians have been isolated from this community and their initial results in…

Focuses on the professional life and experiences of Don W. Krummel, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Addresses the essence of libraries and librarianship through interviews with Krummel that discussed the influences on his career and as an historian of librarianship. (Author/LRW)

Argues for a reevaluation of the old-maid stereotype that will allow professionals in the library and information science (LIS) field to embrace digital technology while remaining mindful of their distinctiveness and recognizing the stereotype as an important part of their collective identity and professional history. (Contains 55 references.)…

Celebrates the achievements of African-American librarians and their contributions to librarianship. Identifies and reviews records of scholarship that can serve as starting points for students and scholars. Chronicles achievements of numerous individuals and provides additional resources for further investigation. Suggests areas of further…

Discusses S.R. Ranganathan's five laws (books are for use, every book its reader, every reader his or her book, save the time of the reader, the library is a growing organism) and updates them (libraries serve humanity, respect all forms of knowledge, use technology intelligently to enhance service, protect free access to knowledge, honor the past…

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…

Oral histories of retired Australian librarians show the sexual division of libraries from pre-1950s to the 1980s. Discussion includes the appeal of on-the-job training; public and private roles of women; the marriage bar; discrimination; lack of skill recognition; wage inequities; feminist resistance; sexual harassment; unions; and electronic…

Examines historical reasons for the reference desk and workers to establish how reference work has been circumscribed, describes how it has evolved, and attempts to define perimeters between tasks and duties of paraprofessionals and professionals. Highlights the Williamson Report (1923) on training for library services and considers how practices…

Assesses the history and development of library services to Latinos. Discusses the history, role, and impact of key professional associations. Identifies, analyzes, and discusses the relevance of major studies, reports, and other publications, calling attention to the paucity that prevails in professional literature addressing this population.…

There have been significant changes in the nature of scientific and technical librarianship in the past four decades, reflected both in the structure and organization of literature and the education and professional training of librarians. These changes are reflected in library school curricula and in the skills and abilities needed by…

Discusses 50 years' worth of development of librarianship in Pakistan and analyzes the policies and plans made. Reviews the role of library schools and their curriculum in the development of the profession and examines the impact of the information revolution, as well as new dimensions in librarianship. Provides a timeline of plans and…