Librarianship is constantly confronted with unexpected and quickly evolving sociotechnical challenges, yet the documents that define the core professional competencies for librarians are infrequently updated. Based upon survey responses collected from 383 working librarians located in the United States, we describe a set of gaps between current…

Literature in the field investigates and debates the importance of the MLIS degree in librarianship. This information is of limited use in Maine where over 30% of public library directors have only a high school diploma. The research questions guiding this Constructivist Grounded Theory study are: How do high school educated library directors in…

Five initiatives launched during Cyndi Phillip's term as American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President (2006-2007) continue to have an impact on school librarians ten years later. They include the rewriting of AASL's learning standards, introduction of the SKILLS Act, the presentation of the Crystal Apple Award to Scholastic Library…

This paper examines the extent to which public librarians are successfully prepared to engage the community in digital literacy and inclusion. A qualitative, multiple case study research design was chosen, using an analysis of policy documents and existing training programs offered by the libraries together with semi-structured interviews with…

For the Spring 2015 semester of the Public Library Management course, students were given digital badges along with grades for their coursework. For each topic's corresponding assignment, students received a traditional grade and those achieving at least an A- received a digital badge that represented the skill or knowledge demonstrated. By using…

Evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) provides school librarians a systematic means of building, assessing, and revising a library program, thus demonstrating a school library program's worth to the larger school community. Through survey research collecting both qualitative and quantitative data, 111 public school librarians in…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Multi-Subject Learning Survey (MSLS) as an assessment instrument for graduate students. Methodology: The MSLS was administered as a pre-test to 124 students enrolled in the introductory course for the Master of Science in Library Science degree at an American Library…

Academic libraries now hire an increasing number of individuals to fill professional librarian positions who do not have the master's degree in library science. Academic libraries are also creating a wide range of new professional assignments that demand diverse educational backgrounds. Additionally, responsibilities formerly carried out by…

In this article, the author discusses his immediate concerns about working at Butler Library at Columbia University. He discusses the structure of the library system and voices his concerns about the structure. The structure is best described as a stratified pyramid. The librarians hired into the "upper base" are either specialists without an MLS…

This textbook attempts to introduce the case study method into the curriculum for training librarians. Cases are written with emphases on a stable activity-authority environment, good management and planning, proper response to internal and external demands, and complex business game situations. Many cases are intended for role playing use. (EMH)

This essay characterizes role of the librarian as using a variety of skills (intellectual, human and communication, technical) to deal with recorded information by evaluating, acquiring, preserving, sorting and ordering, and making it available. Library management, training, and preservation of library materials are highlighted. Six references are…

The Joetta Community Library (JCL), a simulation of a public library in a small midwest town, is a practice library for students in a general library administration class at the master's degree level. Students using the JCL simulation assume the position of director, from initial hiring procedure to assumption of the position and involvement in…

Differences exist between theory and practice in management, between textbook professional managers and practical general managers, and between specialist technicians and generalists. Library and business school management courses cover theory and techniques used by management specialists, not practical management which is more human, subtle, and…

Library studies in institutions of higher learning in socialist countries regularly include studies of library legislation. The topic is integrated into course syllabuses and textbooks, and is discussed in detail in such courses as "Organization and Management of Librarianship" taught at all library educational institutions in the USSR.…

The teacher of library science can use case studies, simulations, and role playing to acquaint future librarians with the realities of library management. By using models, contextual statements, incident materials, and course management materials, the students can be involved in specific library problems which will later have broad on-the-job…