In the context of an evolving digitally-oriented library and/or information science (LIS) discipline and framed by Andrew Abbott's Chaos of Disciplines theory, this article presents an epistemological overview of evolving competency requirements for a global digital information environment and the implications of this for future LIS education. In…

Health literacy supports individuals', families', and communities' health-care decisions. As mediators between health information seekers and medical literature, librarians are essential purveyors of health literacy. Users' trust in libraries as sources of reliable and current health information presupposes the appropriate training of librarians;…

Reviews the current state of assessment of competencies for school media programs, describes a procedure for categorizing assessment strategies, and presents an approach to determine which competencies and assessment strategies are used in professional courses. A case study of a program at Syracuse University and 11 references are included. (EJS)

Many institutions of higher learning are revising course descriptions to include competencies (statements of objectives) and performance indicators (statements of activities the learner must perform to prove that he/she has learned the material). A course syllabus for "Library Organization and Administration," one of nine courses offered…

This study investigates the relationship between nine selected library school characteristics and the offering or requiring of 13 identified instructional design competencies for master's level school library media program students. Responses to a questionnaire sent to 43 library schools indicate that none of the selected characteristics were…

A survey of 452 special librarians was conducted by the Special Libraries Association to identify what they want new graduates to know. Communication skills, reference skills, and an attitude of service were considered by respondents to be more important than second master's degrees and management skills. (Author/EM)

Views problems facing school librarians and discusses media courses which library schools should offer to meet current demands made of media specialists. Competency-based education leading to certification and courses necessary to provide basic skills of librarianship are also discussed. Fourteen references are provided. (EJS)

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 results of nationwide survey to determine certification requirements for school library media specialists (name of certificate, number of hours of education, audiovisual hours/terminology, accredited/approved programs) and the various competencies and skills required (administration, audiovisuals, cataloging, reference, literature,…

This paper represents the state of the art of research in library science on professional competencies for academic, public and special libraries since 1985. The seminal research study done on librarian competencies was conducted in 1983-86 by King Research. The goal of the study was to identify the type of skills and knowledge that information…

Analyzes opinions of public library directors regarding library competencies that are most important for entry-level librarians now and in future; competencies that are most important to specializations within library; number of current library school graduates adequately possessing competencies; and where competencies should be acquired.…

Following the substitution of a Learning Resources Specialist's (LRS) certification for the traditional school librarian's certification in Texas and the subsequent merging of the Departments of Library and Information Science (LIS) and Educational Media and Technology (ETEC) at East Texas State University (ETSU), the immediate supervisors of 28…

This study evaluates demand for specific competency categories in the 1996 United States academic library job market. Its purpose is to identify frequencies of requested qualifications and of job openings by United States region, to inform students and administrators of Masters of Library Science (MLS) Programs of current competency requirements…

Aspects of professional competence and professional socialization that are being emphasized in professional education programs are summarized. Of concern are generic outcomes of professional preparation, outcome-related issues and trends common to professional education in diverse fields, some problems that concern professional educators, and…

Goals and outcomes in various fields of professional education are considered. Attention is directed to generic outcomes of professional preparation, the emphasis these outcomes receive among professional educators, some problems that concern professional educators, and recommendations for future action and study. The generic outcomes, which were…