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 booklet, one of a series of background information papers for the White House Conference, outlines and discusses the important issues of professionalism facing libraries, librarians, and library schools. Public librarians are being asked to assume new roles and perform new tasks for which they are increasingly unable to adequately and…

Examines issues related to the education of community college librarians. Discusses reasons for the lack of community college specializations in library and information science programs; proposes a philosophy of community college librarianship; and highlights innovations related to selection, media production and design, curriculum and course…

Argues that librarians and information scientists do not need a philosophy. Instead of a single philosophy of library and information science, they need a way to manage the many contradictory ideas in order to be more effective and more helpful to patrons. (AEF)

Argues that differing career aspirations among academic librarians may be addressed through a two-track system: one track for occupational librarians, who choose not to pursue higher career goals; and the second for professional librarians who continue to pursue their education and take on greater responsibilities. (EA)

Surveys available literature and offers suggestions for future study concerning the academic librarian's responsibility to demonstrate competence in research and publication. Publication in librarianship and other disciplines, role of professional education, relationship with other academic realms, and performance within the library are…

Discusses the processes shaping the professionalization of college and research librarianship within the framework of four sociological theories. It is suggested that structural changes within higher education and the information industry affect the legitimacy, status, and territory of librarians' work, and that professional growth cannot be…

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)…

Presents nine suggestions for academic librarians to improve on the odds of getting their research published that were generated at a 1981 meeting of the Academic Division of the Pacific Northwest Library Association, as well as detailed instructions for contributors for each of 21 library science journals. (EJS)

Discusses the provision of training for children's librarians in library schools in the United Kingdom and Ireland, noting four aspects--whether or not children's librarians should receive special training, types of training available in library schools, implications of the word "training," and future considerations. (EJS)

Concern for ethics in librarianship is discussed in terms of efforts to clarify attitudes and establish principles of ethical behavior. Attention is directed toward ethics and the need for value judgements in academic librarianship in three areas--honesty, professional integrity, and respect for people. Eleven sources are included. (EJS)

Discusses the changing environment in which libraries and library schools exist, noting master of library science (MLS) programs; extended programs including a field experience (University of California, University of North Carolina); post-MLS internships; and the research library residency program offered by the University of Michigan Library.…

Explores culture clashes experienced by school library media specialists that have influenced the development of the library profession. Highlights include educators and noneducators; different levels of education; varied access to information technology; male versus female; print versus electronic media; intergenerational relations; and present…

Nine articles address the topic of professionalism among school librarians. Highlights include personal initiative and suggestions for growing professionally, a professional involvement profile, career and job options, best-ever workshops, professional growth through travel, from librarian to computer coordinator, illustrated booktalks, the school…

The challenges to education for librarianship and information science are numerous and great: technology, research, expanding curricula to address problems of special constituencies, and recruiting committed individuals. Changes are occurring rapidly, and practitioners and educators must work together to ensure the challenges are met. Thirteen…