SLA library school survey reveals future needs - Communications Outlook - Special Libraries Assn

Information Outlook, August, 1999

SLA coordinated with the Medical Library Association (MLA) and the Association for Library and Information Science Educators (ALISE) to conduct a survey of the deans and administrators of library and information science programs around the world. The survey's intent was to provide a benchmark of information studies curricula and to identify competency areas better served by continuing education programs offered through professional associations. Seventy-five percent of all ALA-accredited programs in the United States, and 22 percent of all international schools surveyed, responded to the survey.

The results of the survey highlight the educational needs of the profession for the future. Respondents were asked to breakdown their program's course offerings into groupings based on professional competencies promoted by the sponsoring professional associations. The breakdown of the total number of courses (1,909) listed by respondents is as follows:

Information Resources (23%) Information Management (20%) Information Access (19%) Information Systems and Technology (18%) Research (10%) Information Policy (10%)

Some results are not surprising. When the data are examined by whether they are core or elective, it was found that only 13 percent of the courses being offered in library and information science programs are required core courses committed to information systems and technology training. This does raise-an eyebrow.

Are the crops of new professionals leaving our universities and entering special libraries trained more on technology after they complete their M.L.S.? It should be noted that one factor the survey can't reveal is whether technology education and training is being folded into other curricula. Does information policy get the same treatment? As information professionals are increasingly required to understand copyright law and other policies, are they truly prepared to enter the workforce? This only scratches the surface of the discussion, but the debate should certainly continue regarding the future curricula of library and information science programs.

Respondents, particularly in the United States, did say that the SEA Competencies document (www.sla.org/professional/comp.html) and the Medical Library Association's Platform for Change (www.mlanet.org/education/platform.html) were well-received and would be used in planning for future curricula development.

Just as corporations, and the business community at large, are actively involved in setting the curricula for M.B.A. programs, so should information professionals and the professional associations with which they identify. The survey tells us that SEA and the rest of the international library community must consider a more proactive relationship with library and information science programs, so that the profession does not stagnate in the future.

Library Community Supports New Database Legislation

Sure, database protection legislation has reared its ugly head again this year in the U.S., but even the supporters of H.R. 354 (sponsored by Rep. Howard Coble of North Carolina) knew they would have to compromise. Now, even that may be a moot point. Rep. Tom Bliley of Virginia has introduced H.R. 1858, the Consumer and Investor Access to Information Act. This legislation would provide a higher threshold for protection of a database under the proposal, and would prohibit competitive distribution of duplicates of databases. Databases produced, or contracted by, the national, state or local governments would be excluded. Various activities would also be permitted, including investigative research, news reporting, and scientific, educational, or research purposes. To learn more about H.R. 1858 or H.R, 354, visit the library community-supported Database Data website at www.databasedata.org.

Press Notes

Recently, a few great articles were printed that highlight SLA's role in the knowledge economy. Here are some links to check out:

The May 31, 1999, edition of the San Jose Business Journal features SLA Executive Director David Bender's article on the critical role of librarians in content management online: www.amcity.com/sanjose/stories/1999/05/31/smallb6.html.> The June 2, 1999, edition of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press featured SEA in an editorial just prior to the SEA conference online for US $1.95 fee: www.pioneerplanet.com.

The June 21, 1999, edition of the Washington (DC) Times featured an article written by SLA member Joseph Szadkowski on the annual conference. The article is no longer available on the Times web site, but you can contact Szadkowski via electronic mail at joseph@twtmail.com.

For more information, contact John Crosby (john-c@sla.org).