Librarianship is constantly confronted with unexpected and quickly evolving sociotechnical challenges, yet the documents that define the core professional competencies for librarians are infrequently updated. Based upon survey responses collected from 383 working librarians located in the United States, we describe a set of gaps between current…

This paper surveys the (patchy and uneven) advances in LIS impact evaluation over the past ten years and notes the surge forward in public library impact evaluation, before looking more broadly at the international and educational impact evaluation scene and noting the advance of programme-theory driven approaches. The authors then identify…

Recently, the author spent a week at Rare Book School (RBS) immersed in a course entitled "Teaching the History of the Book;" an investigation into different ways of thinking about, designing, and conducting a course on the history of the book. The goal was to learn how to convert teaching and outreach experiences in rare book collections from a…

This paper presents the results of a study conducted with the aim of identifying competencies needed by special librarians in Iran at three different levels of library and information science education. A list of competencies was initially identified from the literature and 21 semi-structured interviews with managers of special libraries in Iran.…

Discusses the rationale and benefits of internship programs for library students in special libraries, suggests work programs, and considers sample intern projects. Six references are cited. (FM)

Traces the development of a specialty within the profession of librarianship, highlighting the origins of art libraries (particularly in museums), growth of the literature of art, the formation of professional associations, and the development of specialized education in library schools. Forty-five references are cited. (EJS)

Describes the history and current state of special courses to prepare librarians for work with performing art collections. Results from a survey of library educators and theater librarians indicating mixed feelings about such courses are discussed, and the survey questions are appended. References are provided. (BK)

This overview of the current professional development activities of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) and its future plans describes SLA's employment and career-related services, its involvement in education for librarianship, and the present focus on accreditation of graduate schools in library and information science. (MES)

Discusses the growing demand for library school graduates in special library environments and addresses the role of the library school in responding to that demand. (FM)

Discusses the value of continuing education for staff members of special libraries as reported by information professionals in a study of excellence in corporate libraries. Background on the Special Libraries Association's Professional Development Program is also provided, and the importance of keeping current with the literature is emphasized.…

Future Geographic Information Systems (GIS) librarians face a number of challenges that other Library and Information Studies (LIS) graduates may not when preparing for a career in academic librarianship. This article discusses these challenges and offers suggestions to help entry-level GIS librarians begin successful and rewarding careers.

Examines issues of special library management and the emphases in SLA (Special Libraries Association) continuing education courses dealing with these issues. Five courses taught for SLA are described, including one-day courses on management communications, delegation, and effective supervisory skills, as well as seminars dealing with human…

This essay on education for special librarianship discusses need for dialog between library educators and special librarians, recruitment for library field and library education, library school faculty recruitment and curriculum design, and the education of special librarians. Ten references are included. (EJS)

Examines education and training of library personnel for health-related libraries in Latin America. Highlights include history of librarianship education in general, levels of education, network formation, ways in which health sciences librarians cope with problems of their specialization, recommendations of UNESCO meeting sponsored by directors…

Addresses issues raised by the Special Libraries Association's (SLA) 1988 Policy Statement of Graduate Education regarding program length, accreditation procedures, education for other branches of librarianship, and models of the ideal library curriculum. Several additions to the SLA statement are suggested, and a copy of the statement is…