Examines factors of philosophical significance to college librarianship that provide direction for daily decisions: growth of bibliographic instruction--role of metaphysical and metaphorical; need to integrate values of liberal education; understanding of social context--humanistic roots; and understanding of librarian's role of intervenor,…

Includes reprints of four articles published in "Library Journal" from 1894-1963: (1) "The Distinctive Value of Books" (Lester Asheim); (2) "The Changing Role of the University Library" (Ralph E. Ellsworth); (3) "It Is a Mistake to Recruit Men" (Ralph Munn); and (4) "Is It Best for Libraries to Buy…

The lead article in this section argues that the profession's current focus on technology has compromised academic librarianship's scholarly values, eroded the quality of rhetoric between librarians and patrons, and contributed to the ascendancy of information over knowledge. Renewal of the teaching function and reaffirmation of traditional values…