Reviews the history of United States librarianship. Suggests that the profession has failed to analyze the meaning of library service and its significance to users. Argues that this has limited the ability to understand the present role of the U.S. library and thus affects efforts to plan for the future. Contains 131 references. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the Library History Seminars, founded by Louis Shores, focuses on various characteristics of the first nine seminar participants, including their gender and institutional affiliation. Analyzes the data to provide a picture of who does library history and how the discipline's research interests have evolved over the past 30 years.…

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)

Argues that aggressive and informed recruitment efforts are needed to reflect the library and information science (LIS) profession's commitment to a diverse work force. Discusses recruitment theory, outlining personal factors influencing recruitment, and implications for practice. Makes recommendations for LIS recruitment efforts. (PEN)

Discussion of learning organizations focuses on attributes of libraries that are, or are in the process of becoming, learning organizations. Topics include the concept of learning; vision; flexibility, including trust; leadership, including less emphasis on a hierarchical management structure; and communication. (LRW)

Over 500 libraries have employed OCLC's iCAS and its successor Automated Collection Assessment and Analysis Services (ACAS) as bibliometric tools to evaluate monograph collections. This examination of ACAS reveals both its methodological limitations and its feasibility as an indicator of collecting patterns. The results can be used to maximize the…

In 2003, during the Biennial migration of academic librarians to the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) conference, several of the programs in Charlotte, NC, discussed the recruitment and retention of the next generation but with an obvious lack of input from newly recruited librarians. In response, with Liza Posas, a library…

Two main traditions now operate in philosophy, influencing the choice about which theories are appropriate in library and information science (LIS). A third tradition, known as process philosophy, gives prominence to human knowledge as an organically integrated, self-sustaining whole, thereby opening another avenue for the effort to revitalize…

A graduate level course in library and information science was revised from face-to-face instruction to a blended learning model utilizing on site, interactive television, and online classes. This study investigates three related questions: (1) Will students provide detailed feedback if given the opportunity to complete an anonymous survey? (2)…

The technical report or "fugitive" literature collected by ERIC is produced using a wide variety of printing techniques, many formats, and variable degrees of quality control. Since the documents processed by ERIC go on to be microfilmed and reproduced in microfiche and paper copy for sale to users, it is essential that the ERIC document…

The core courses in the library school curricula of several universities are surveyed and the new core course developed at Drexel University is described. (PF)

The methods of instruction used for the course in fundamentals of library science at Drexel University Graduate School of Library Science are described. (PF)

Arguing that most writing on library and information service is empirical or devoted to reporting what happened, this paper attempts to promote conversation between the empiricists and the idealists or metaphysicians of library and information studies. The paper includes the following sections: (1) Professor Peter Kien and the Metaphysical Course…

Librarianship is the management of knowledge, not the management of nature, i.e., it is controlled by ideas, not by phenomena. The man/document interface provides a key for creating the philosophy of librarianship and a clue to the intellectual nature of the library profession. Because librarianship occurs whenever ideas are reused, librarians…