Responsible Librarianship

Responsible Librarianship PDF

Author: David Bade

Publisher: Library Juice Press, LLC

Published: 2014-05-14

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 1936117258

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These papers examine library policies and organizational structures in light of the literature of ergonomics, high reliability organizations, joint cognitive systems and integrational linguistics. Bade argues that many policies and structures have been designed and implemented on the basis of assumptions about technical possibilities, ignoring entirely the political dimensions of local determination of goals and purposes as well as the lessons from ergonomics, such as the recognition that people are the primary agents of reliability in all technical systems. Because libraries are understood to be loci of human interaction and communication rather than purely technical systems at the disposal of an abstract user, Bade insists on looking at problems of meaning and communication in the construction and use of the library catalog. Looking at various policies for metadata creation and the results of those policies forces the question: is there a responsible human being behind the library web site and catalog, or have we abandoned the responsibilities of thinking and judgment in favor of procedures, algorithms and machines?

Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility in American Librarianship, 1967-1974

Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility in American Librarianship, 1967-1974 PDF

Author: Toni Samek

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2017-07-06

Total Pages: 197

ISBN-13: 0786450738

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Between 1967 and 1974, a number of librarians came together to push for change in the American Library Association. They soon prompted a majority of the profession to examine their role in the dissemination and preservation of culture and to ask basic questions about the terrain that the profession defends. A particular concern was the limitations to intellectual freedom (if any) that might arise in the pursuit of other perhaps equally worthy goals. The questions raised by this advocacy group were based on a relatively new concept of librarianly social responsibility that was partly an outgrowth of the civil rights and antiwar agitation of the period and partly a continuation of the proud traditions of the alternative press movement in the United States. The resulting dissension and turmoil exposed an inherent discrepancy not only between the rhetoric of ideals within the profession and the reality of practice but between librarians as agents of change--librarians' having a social agenda--and professional "neutrality" or the provision of information for all sides without taking sides. These conflicts have never been resolved. The reader will find in this book a fully researched presentation of the years of ferment and political infighting that brought the issues into such sharp focus.

Education for Librarianship in China

Education for Librarianship in China PDF

Author: Wu Guangwei

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 1998-04-01

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 1847142907

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A detailed study of the education and training of information professionals in China, including the People's Republic, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, offering insights into history, the present situation, and future scenarios. Chapters concentrate on educational and pedagogical matters in an apolitical fashion. Subjects include history of library science education, employment conditions of library school educators, and international cooperation in library science education. Includes a directory of library and information programs of higher education and a list of library conferences in China.

Refocusing Academic Libraries through Learning and Discourse

Refocusing Academic Libraries through Learning and Discourse PDF

Author: Mary K. Bolin

Publisher: Chandos Publishing

Published: 2022-11-15

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 0323951112

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Organizational Transformation in Academic Libraries: Discourse, Process, Product helps inform discussions in academic libraries on organizational patterns and divisions of labor. The book gives librarians leverage to think outside traditional bureaucratic structures and re-think how libraries serve their patrons. It examines existing structures and proposes new organizational models and lays out a process for planning organizational transformation and implementing a new organization. Seven chapters offer a radical vision of library transformation, proposing a collaborative process for changing academic libraries into organizations fit for the second quarter of the twenty-first century and beyond. Academic libraries are changing in the face of information technologies, economic pressures and globally disruptive events such as the current pandemic. As a result, practical solutions for transforming organizational and workflow structures for the future are desperately needed. The title analyzes existing organizational structures and proposes new ones that can be adapted to individual libraries. It discusses the challenges posed by virtual learning environments, digital initiatives and resources, changes to cataloging standards and succession planning, as well as changes brought about by the current pandemic. Presents a clear analysis of organizational patterns and divisions of labor in the future of the academic library Gives specific organizational models and presents a process for planning and implementing organizational transformation Advocates for, and supports the radical transformation of, library organization and workflow structures Proposes a collaborative process for transforming academic libraries into future-ready organizations Considers current challenges and aims to support the design of new organizations ready for the second quarter of the 21st century and beyond

Progressive Librarianship

Progressive Librarianship PDF

Author: Shiraz Durrani

Publisher: African Books Collective

Published: 2014-12-29

Total Pages: 447

ISBN-13: 1869886216

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Public spending is under threat and public libraries are suffering. At a time when libraries can play a critical role in supporting people facing difficult economic and social situations, the dominant conservative model of librarianship has nothing meaningful to say about the role and relevance of libraries. It offers more of the same, but no qualitative change so necessary today. It continues to maintain the myth that there is no alternative to its own policies and practices. There is thus an urgent need to alternative ideas and practices to address peoples needs. The progressive librarianship movement is taking up this challenge. It has also been active in Kenya and Britain but its work is not widely know. The Kenyan movement differed from the others in that it grew within the underground political movement in the 1980s - the December Twelve Movement/Mwakenya. Using original documents, this book records this hidden history. In the process, it examines key concepts such as the role of libraries and the relevance of service. Linking library work with the wider social and political concerns, the book explores issues such as politics of information, the role of activism and neutrality in library work. It offers an alternative approach to librarianship, to the training of librarians and to organisational change to make libraries more relevant to peoples lives.

Civic Librarianship

Civic Librarianship PDF

Author: Ronald B. McCabe

Publisher: Scarecrow Press

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 9780810839052

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After decades of cultural warfare and political gridlock, the U.S. is beginning to find its balance thanks to a major cultural shift toward strengthening communities and other endangered social structures. Civic Librarianship explores the ideas of this new community movement and shows how they can transform public libraries by offering a renewed sense of purpose and powerful new strategies for development.

Library Ethics

Library Ethics PDF

Author: Jean Preer

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2008-10-30

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1598848542

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The evolution of ethical standards for librarians parallels the development of librarianship as a profession. Our most important professional values have been tested and debated in the course of formulating and adopting our codes of ethics. This book includes historical precedents and current examples of ethical issues facing the profession. It looks broadly at the many arenas in which librarians face ethical choices, helping practitioners identify an ethical dilemma and providing guidance on how to respond, how to separate personal belief from professional responsibility, and how to make exceptions in a principled way. Where appropriate references are included to the codes of ethics of other professions: journalists, booksellers, and lawyers.

Career Opportunities in Library and Information Science

Career Opportunities in Library and Information Science PDF

Author: T. Allan Taylor

Publisher: Infobase Publishing

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 390

ISBN-13: 0816075468

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Whether you're a student or a professionals ready for a career change, you'll find in this invaluable book everything you need to know to start an exciting career or alter the direction of your current career in library and/or information science. Features include a quick-reference Career Profile for each job summarizing its notable features, a Career Ladder illustrating frequent routes to and from the position described, and a comprehensive text pointing out special skills, education, training, and various associations relevant to each post. Appendixes list educational institutions, periodicals and directories, professional associations, and useful industry Web sites.