The success of academic librarians depends on their ability to escape a working pattern of routine and reaction and to master the professional role--to be aware of the library's dynamic environment, to exercise individual initiative, and to willingly engage in critical analysis and evaluation of their and their library's performance. (Author)

Discussion of the acculturation of academic librarians to faculty positions focuses on the processes of acculturation, including selection, sequestration, instruction and apprenticeship, sanctioning, certification and sponsorship, and mentoring. Difficulties with this process specific to librarians are considered, and suggestions for improving…

Review of literature dealing with education for academic librarianship highlights history; length of education; amount of education, including need for advanced subject specialization; role of library schools; "Standards for College Libraries"; librarians' functions within libraries; and the organization of academic libraries. Thirty-three…

Describes a project that examined cooperative endeavors between library schools and their host academic libraries in order to determine the relationship between the two units. The discussion covers the role of librarians in library education, the involvement of library school faculty in libraries, and the extent and effectiveness of communications…

Responses of 100 librarians to a questionnaire revealed a profile of the educational background and attitudes of science librarians involved in bibliographic instruction. A follow-up survey explored the degree to which library school curricula prepare librarians for bibliographic instruction. (11 notes with references) (Author/CLB)

Based on vision of reduced mechanical and production concerns for academic librarians within next decade, this article describes required skills, knowledge, attitudes, and abilities in areas of intellect and human relations; suggests revised educational requirements for academic librarians. Eighteen recommendations and 43 references appended.…

Presents reactions of four professionals in library field to two-part article concerning future of academic librarianship. Topics covered include academic library administration, library education, current and future job skills and requirements, fundamental changes necessary before librarians can accept new responsibilities, and additional…

Eighteen mature academic librarians were interviewed regarding acceptance as colleagues by teaching faculty. Performing the role of librarian and exploiting campus governance activities contributed significantly to collegial acceptance more than a common interest in research. The most important factor was self-confidence as a librarian. Models and…

A pilot study conducted to identify concerns of public services middle managers on costing and use of performance measures found the librarians interviewed had little faith in their usefulness. Implications of these findings are discussed and specific ways to increase the usefulness of such measures for library decision-making are suggested. (CDD)

Links the origin, decline, and renaissance of bibliographic instruction to the increasing specialization and democratization of education and reviews the history of the academic library and the role of the academic librarian in American higher education. The value of concept-oriented bibliographic instruction is stressed. Included are 18…

Summarizes results of a survey of 54 entry-level State University of New York librarians, including background data (position title, year of library degree), an analysis of 27 professional activities, and methods of preparation for job responsibilities--library school education, on-the-job training, self-instruction, continuing education (actual…

Reports the results of a survey that asked academic librarians where they had acquired their professional knowledge and where they would prefer to acquire it. The discussion covers preferences for skills acquisition through library schools, on the job training, and professional continuing education, and the implications of these preferences for…

Randomly sampled librarians were asked to rate 56 categories of baseline knowledge and skills according to their importance and degree to which respondents considered themselves knowledgeable. Highlights include areas of knowledge; library education effectiveness; and the importance of knowledge and experience, the library position, and the…

A survey of cataloging and reference department heads in ARL (Association for Research Libraries) member libraries showed that both professional experience and management coursework play a part in a librarian's promotion to department head. It is suggested that library management will improve if libraries require formal management preparation and…

Describes a study that investigated the skills that bibliographic instruction (BI) librarians in academic libraries thought were needed to provide adequate BI and where these skills should be taught or acquired. Training for BI offered in library schools is examined, and recommendations for further study are suggested. (19 references) (LRW)