This paper traces a brief history of the development of American librarianship as a profession and examines the social climate from which it emerged. Several traditional and modern models of professionalism are discussed and applied to librarianship. Shortcomings of the profession, e.g., its scholarship and the non-prescriptive nature of its…

A brief historical review of educational development and assessment of present needs is followed by an outline of necessary considerations for future educational planning and discussion of the role of Latin American librarianship in planning for library development. An active role is prescribed for librarians, both individually and collectively.…

Discussion of way in which books have functioned within framework of American librarianship highlights acquisition of books (libraries attempting to fill needs of everyone in geographical area, libraries devoted to filling needs of self-selected part of society, libraries devoted to collecting particular subject), and role of private collector of…

Discussion of librarianship as practiced in rural areas of United States highlights advantages of rural environment which affect role of the library, i.e., interpersonal relationships, need for creative modes of information service, potential to provide insulation against personal anonymity, potential for impacting community, opportunity to…

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…

Despite setbacks and hazards, libraries today are a more vital and a more appreciated part of our lives than ever before. (Author/NH)

Discusses Leon Trotsky's views on libraries, librarians, and librarianship in Soviet society in the 1920s as expressed in a speech, "Leninism and Library Work." Topics discussed include role of librarian in promoting literacy, including the use of maps and reference books to explain newspaper stories; the selection of books; and fighting…

This annotated bibliography focuses on recent literature dealing with librarianship and future technology. The first section lists 38 articles on the impact of technology on librarianship as a profession. In the second section, 32 articles on the applications of technology to academic, research, public, and special libraries of the future are…

The question to be examined in this essay is whether the practice of scientific libraries (including special libraries and documentation) can rely on well-founded and developed theoretical works or studies as regards the conception of development, the requirements of the scientific and technical revolution, its place in the social division of…

This paper looks at some of the potential roles that librarians could adopt in the age of the Internet; e.g., resource discovery, cataloging the Internet, and user education. It outlines the effect that networked information is having on the library profession. It identifies the new roles that information professionals are performing and shows…

Panel members, who were from different states, discussed existing and future uses of cable television in their libraries. (Other conference materials are LI 503071-503077 and LI 503079 through LI 503084.) (SM)

A scenario was presented depicting interaction among a city councilman, a cable operator, a community organizer, a library director, and a superintendent of media development, all of whom have different concerns and views about cable television. (Other conference materials are LI 503071-503079 and LI 503081 through LI 503084.) (SM)

Library planning for cable television was discussed further by other panel members. (Other conference materials are LI 503071-503081 and LI 503083 and 503084; see specifically LI 503078 for first part of discussion.) (SM)

Advocates pursuit of service to the public rather than autonomy of practice as the proper professional goal of librarians. This article explores the tensions between professional attributes and the bureaucratic demands of the organizational environment. (Author/RAA)

The library profession's attitude regarding national and international issues, and issues within the profession during the last decade are recalled. (MBR)