CCE Theses and Dissertations
An Assessment of Trends And Factors Affecting Future Directions In Library And Information Science Education
Date of Award
1992
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Science
Department
Center for Computer and Information Sciences
Advisor
Marlyn Kemper Littman
Committee Member
Patricia B. Kistemacher
Committee Member
Louise MacKay
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine qualifications for the position of librarian as advertised in Chronicle of Higher Education, (February 1991 through May 1991 issues). An assessment of library science catalogs of all schools currently accepting students (n a 58), which are approved by the American Library Association (ALA), was conducted. This assessment included issues relating to faculty, courses, entry and graduation requirements, and distance education. These qualifications of skill and training, as advertised in The Chronicle of Higher Education, were compared to the curricula of currently ALA-approved schools to determine whether library science curricula is supporting the current job market. Study findings of advertised positions in The Chronicle 2! Higher Education included the following: (1) technical computing skills are being requested by the current job market in the areas of online database searching and automation, not programming, and (2) request for experience in supervision points to the need to enhance the managerial aspects of training in library science. There were geographical differences (alpha = .05) in salaries and the availability of positions among these advertisements when compared to the six regions as designated by the ALA.
Study findings based upon official catalogs from the 58 responding ALA-accredited library science schools showed no significant differences between library science school programs and regions by the following: (a) computer programming, (b) availability of the M.L.S. as distance education, (c) tuition cost for the M.L.S. program, (d) financial aid availability for the M.L. S., (e) doctoral program availability, (f) availability of the doctorate as distance education, (g) financial aid availability for doctoral education, (h) tuition for doctoral program, (i) Financial aid availability for the doctoral program, (j) Number of years required for doctoral education, (k) Number of course hours required for a doctorate, (l) Computer requirement for a doctorate, (m) Number of faculty degrees from employing school, (n) total number of technical courses offered, and (0) number of joint degrees offered.
As a result of this study it is recommended that: (1) Library science schools enhance curricula related to managerial skills, (2) library science school deans explore the possibility of offering joint degrees with business schools which emphasize the non-profit nature of libraries, (3) the American Library Association offer a publicly accessible clearinghouse for nationwide educational opportunities open to librarians, (4) library science school deans cooperatively monitor the current job market on trends including, but not limited to, regional job offerings and salaries, and (5) library science school deans give increased attention to information, or lack thereof, included in school catalogs.
NSUWorks Citation
Jan M. Yates. 1992. An Assessment of Trends And Factors Affecting Future Directions In Library And Information Science Education. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Center for Computer and Information Sciences. (937)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/937.