Provides overview of the establishment and acceptance of reference service in American library practice and outlines and documents changes in focus and emphasis by citing textbooks on reference services. Highlights include beginnings in 1876, communications and counseling, the 1970s, reconsiderations, and new emphasis and new models. Ninety-four…

By 1960 there was a strongly developed theory of learning in which learning was considered as change of behavior. Neobehaviorist theories and then formal stochastic models analyzed processes in which probabilities of responses are altered. In the 1960's, analysis of learning as a discrete change between states of knowledge or stages of processing…

Considers the numbers, qualifications, and changing characteristics of the almost 200,000 students who have completed a year of successful study at a U.S. library school during the last century. Highlights include the beginnings (1887-1900), expansion (1900-1921), reforms (1921-1950), diversification (1950s-1980s), and annual and cumulative…

This overview of literature pertaining to philosophies and crosscurrents of cataloging highlights literature of 1905, cataloging codes, serials and textbooks on cataloging, cataloging aids, and selected themes 1905-1985 (cataloging for small library, union lists and catalogs, classification, catalog use studies, subject retrieval systems,…

Discusses the historical fallacies and cultural assumptions surrounding the "literacy myth" in Western society. Includes an extensive list of references. (PD)

The current state of social psychology is assessed in light of its historical and social context. The discipline is viewed as a social system, and it is argued that the properties of this system have influenced the research techniques, substantive content, and theories of contemporary social psychology. (Author/RD)

Some of the recent changes in the organization and delivery of residential services for the mentally retarded in British Columbia are discussed. (Author/SBH)

In this article, historical aspects of the pre-Lenten celebration of Carnival are discussed and the Carnival is examined in terms of its meaning as a "rite of passage." One of the most important functions of Carnival is its original one of being a ritual with profound secular and religious implications. (Author/MC)

Summarizes the growth of databases, including major milestones, issues, and trends of the past 20 years, during which time the database/online industry had become a large and thriving segment of the information industry. A time line overview of database developments from 1951 to 1985 is appended. (42 references) (EJS)

Overview of significant changes in library education during last century discusses example of Clara Mable Brooks, 1912 graduate of Illinois State Library School; literature on professionalism; librarianship and cultural and intellectual authority; character of library science students; ideology of "library spirit"; authority and quality…

Summarized are the key features of the revolution in electronics, namely (1) capacity, (2) cost, (3) speed, and (4) size. Outlined also are some possible implications for the future with particular reference to telecommunications, medical services and education. (CS)

Historical issues and the development of the mental health personnel system are examined. The four core professions (psychiatry, clinical psychology, psychiatric social work, and psychiatric nursing) evolved into the medical-psychiatric model of the state mental hospitals, institutions for the mentally retarded, and child guidance clinics. This…

In framework of a century of formal U.S. library education, this essay synthesizes key concepts that have dominated library school curricula with special attention to idea of "core," growing conflict between library and information science, and actual methodology of teaching as described and experienced by members of profession. (57…

The 1908 publication of "A Mind That Found Itself" by Clifford Beers initiated the mental hygiene movement and a concern for the prevention of mental disorders. Primary prevention movements of the early 1900's recognized the need to deinstitutionalize mental health by bringing services and intervention to the community, recognized the influences…

"Library Journal" issues (1910, 1920) were examined to identify professional concerns having curricular impact on library education: management, public service, technical service, book sciences, Americanization. Six major educational concerns are discussed: role of on-the-job training; specialization; certification; leadership role of…