Proposes a revised model of a taxonomy for theory building in library and information studies research, called Circuits of Theory, that includes both the taxonomy and the critical contextual modules researchers consider in their work. Encompasses the concepts of individual as well as social knowledge, both discovered and undiscovered. (Author/LRW)

History and present status of library publications, with emphasis on periodicals. (LS)

Touches selectively upon points of contact between the librarianship of the old world and of the new in order to indicate modes of interrelation and channels of influence through which different kinds of effects have been produced. (Author)

Describes results of a content analysis of 1160 library and information science (LIS) articles published between 1993 and 1998 to examine the use of theory in LIS research. Findings imply that differences exist in the use of theory in LIS that are associated with the broad disciplinary content of the research. (Author/LRW)

Addresses the issue of epistemology and library and information science by considering Michel Foucault's essay "La Bibliotheque Fantastique" which is a work of literary criticism rather than a scientific analysis. Highlights include implications of the positivist perspective for conceptualizing the modern library experience; and an…

Examines the ways in which some American librarians and others have viewed the progress of American librarianship, 1876 to 1976. (Author)

An historical survey of statistical data collection for librarianship and education in the United States. (LS)

The first of two articles provides an introduction to this issue. The second article discusses the key issues in rare book librarianship over the past 50 years, including acquisition, care, handling, storage, preservation, cataloging, classifying, processing, circulation, security, and training. Both references and a 77-item bibliography are…

A survey of American library education and development in the last century. (LS)

Examines 18 library publishers' sales catalogs and sales profiles for 300 titles available from the American Library Association (ALA) in order to describe the nature of library literature. Lists of ALA best sellers for 1986-87 and pre-1986-87 are appended. (9 references) (MES)

Discusses the origins of librarians' concern with their image and reviews an analysis of the issue in the literature from 1921-78. The image presented in three major national library journals--American Libraries, Library Journal, and Wilson Library Bulletin--are then examined together with opinions of the journal editors for the period from…

Provides an overview of public administration and its similarities to library and information science, and notes research themes in public administration (innovation, organizational development and change, decision-making and evaluation, personnel, financial concerns, marketing, dissertations). Future of public administration research and its…

Analyzes subject trends from 1975-84 in nine influential journals in library and information science. Thirty-two subjects which constitute 89 percent of the subjects published are discussed under five categories according to their distribution characteristics: (1) boom topics; (2) declining topics; (3) roller coaster issues; (4) stable subjects;…

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)