Digital initiatives have become increasingly common in academic libraries, but inconsistent definitions, standards, and expectations limit and, in some cases, negatively impact the effectiveness of practitioners. This article explores the discourse surrounding professional titles and responsibilities in digital initiatives within North American…

To document the change over time in African-American/Africana/Black Studies (AABS) librarianship in the United States, this study analyzed 71 position announcements published in physical and digital sources beginning in 1970 through 2019. Using content analysis, the author found that most AABS librarians should expect to have an MLIS and work in…

Now more than ever school librarians need to be advocates. COVID brought to light so many things that are wrong with the education system around the country. According to the author, they learned that, although they talk about equity and access for their students, they are not even close to equity and access being a reality for all. As the…

This paper presents a novel approach to designing an online, open-source course in systems librarianship, an area of librarianship that may be perceived as complex and intimidating because of the technologies involved. The course design focuses on making systems librarianship more approachable for library and information science students who may…

A library supervisor for the Anchorage (Alaska) School District, credits five things with transforming her perspective throughout her school library career and helping her develop a clear vision and clearly articulated core values. Each of the five required her to move beyond her library and even beyond her district. The most critical opportunity…

This study analyzes job advertisements to identify the contemporary development of academic reference librarianship in the United States. Results show that more job openings, higher educational backgrounds, more duties & responsibilities, and variety of titles were assigned to academic reference librarian positions from 1966 through 2009.…

Science librarianship is a rapidly changing professional specialization that requires unique skills and experiences for science librarians to perform at the highest level. A content analysis of recent job advertisements was conducted to determine the most desirable qualifications for science librarians. It was found that the most frequently cited…

Reviews the consulting process (two-way interaction focused on seeking, giving, and receiving of help) as it applies to library science and identifies nine process roles of the consultant as teacher, student, detective, barbarian, timekeeper, monitor, talisman, advocate, and ritual pig. Common errors in classifying consultant roles are noted. (9…

This discussion of the role of librarians past, present, and future notes job responsibilities; effects of technological changes (online public catalog, electronic publishing, distributed processing, private sector); the role of catalogers; cooperative cataloging; new recruits for library schools; expectations for newly recruited professional…

Presents professional information for librarians, including lists of scholarship and award winners, help in finding employment, and a review of the placements and salaries won by recent information science graduates. Includes: "Guide to Employment Sources in the Library and Information Professions"; "Placements and Salaries 1997: Breaking the #30K…

Assesses Melvil Dewey's role in establishing and shaping formal education for librarianship. Highlights include Dewey and library education through 1885; impact of Columbia College; Dewey's educational views (rationalization for library work, qualifications of a librarian, personal qualifications and college education, technical qualifications and…

Argues that if librarians are to deserve faculty status, they must comply with standards of excellence similar to those of instructional faculty. Teaching roles of librarians at Evergreen State College and St. Cloud State University are cited and similarities of roles of medical school faculty are indicated. (9 references) (EJS)

Reports results of survey of Master of Library Science graduates on their career paths and perceptions of prestige of certain professional tasks and work settings. Sex differences in prestige rankings, work settings, and salary levels and prestige of tasks in first job and current job are noted. (7 references) (EJS)

Reports results of a survey of 300 minority (i.e., African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American) librarians conducted to determine factors that influence minority librarians to choose a career in librarianship and to ascertain effective recruiting techniques to attract minorities to librarianship. A copy of the questionnaire is appended.…

Identifies determinants of librarians' salaries and tests human capital-based explanations of librarianship as a woman's profession. Earnings functions are developed for men and women in public and academic libraries and for women in school libraries, and personal, human capital, and job determinants of salaries are identified. Thirty-one…