Professional development for special librarians: formal education and continuing education for excellence

This statement is concerned with library/information education only, specifically those areas of current curriculum which require expansion, or modification to meet the educational needs of potential special librarians.

Areas of concern include:

1) Provision of Information Services

2) Technology

3) Management

4) Information Resources

5) Information Service/Product Evaluation While these broad subjects are included in the typical library school curriculum, instruction may not include, or sufficiently emphasize, the components of these subjects that are critical to special librarianship.

Provision of Information Services

The ultimate goal of special librarianship, and perhaps the key distinguishing factor between special libraries and other library settings, is the provision of customized information services that meet the requirements of the parent organization in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible. In special libraries there is less emphasis on functions, such as acquisitions, cataloging and collection development, and greater emphasis on the provision of active services in immediate response to client needs.

Typical special library services that are not usually performed by traditional librarians include:

a) packaging of information to meet specific demands

b) selective dissemination of information

c) analysis and interpretation of information

d) selection, configuration and evaluation of individual systems to meet client needs

e) development and delivery of new services as client and external demands require

f) design and development of information "products"

g) exhaustive database searching

h) database development

i) thesaurus and index construction

Technology

The impact of computer and telecommunications technology on the information environment has dramatically changed the way special librarians work. As clients have increasingly emphasized the need for immediate response to information requests, special librarians have optimized the use of advanced technologies.

To a greater extent than other librarians, special librarians rely heavily upon various computer and electronic technologies, such as online/ telecommunications systems, artificial intelligence and expert systems, multimedia systems, desk-top publishing systems, national and international information networks, magnetic disk and tape, video disk and laser optical disk to capture, store, and deliver information.

Knowledge of the variety of systems available, the capabilities and limitations of each, and the compatibility among different systems is essential. Competency in systems analysis and design, and advanced knowledge of computer applications are critical, as today's special librarian must be able to plan and implement technological solutions to the information problems of the parent organization.

Management

To a greater extent than other librarians, special librarians are placed in management positions early in their careers. In these positions, they must excel in both general business management and in management of the information activities and resources of the parent organization.