The alert pace of technological, information and social development of contemporary society prevent academic programmes of initial education (bachelor, master) in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS) from supplying graduates with enough knowledge and competences to meet the employers' requirements: this makes lifelong learning…

In this mixed methods and multi-phased study, through a multi-round feedback and confirmation process, we established a meaningful approach to developing, revising, and finalizing a competency framework for InterProfessional Informationists (IPI). As an emerging profession, IPI has not yet been established as a formal educational program with a…

While much of the literature on gender in librarianship approaches this issue at an organizational level, this qualitative study investigates how individuals working in libraries perceive their gender identities as a resource for their professional goals and how this intersects with other social identities including race and sexuality. Using a…

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;…

Information workers are not born information fluent. Like other students, incoming library science students enter graduate programs with a broad range of information and technology skills. The aim of this study was to determine if systematically designed online tutorials would be effective in preparing university students with information literacy…

People use the words "profession" and "professional" in a multitude of ways. This article provides an extensive discussion about the idea of "profession." The author discusses how librarianship stacks up against the established professions and explores whether librarianship is considered as a profession. The author argues that librarianship is not…

Considers the question of compulsory certification for librarians and describes a California proposal which would require certification for librarians desiring positions in state-funded libraries. (FM)

Examines the role of professional standards in fostering good practice in librarianship. Discusses librarian liability theories and malpractice risk; professional conduct, including standards and an enforcement mechanism; professional knowledge; skills or competencies, including the role of library associations; and shared values. (Author/LRW)

Arguing that librarianship is an institutionalized profession (i.e., the library, rather than the librarian, has been the focus of attention), this essay notes the process of deinstitutionalization (information brokers, effect of computer technology), the future of the librarian, and education for the profession. Nine footnotes are given. (EJS)

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)

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)

Discusses highlights of a survey undertaken to determine practitioner attitudes toward specific courses in the present M.L.S. program. Topics highlighted include training and/or education, elective courses suggested by respondents, professional competency, American Library Association and Office of Personnel Management viewpoints, and continuing…

The role of librarians is defined by their ability to identify user needs and then use techniques from both library and information science to meet those needs. Positions that utilize these abilities outside of the traditional library should not be considered as alternative careers. (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.…

Marchant's essay and reactions to it by five library educators and librarians discuss the pros and cons of extending the MLS (Master of Library Science) program in response to requests by directors of university libraries for increased instruction in evaluation, decision-making, administration, and automation, without reduction in traditional…