Expectations of Librarians in the 21st Century (Libraries Unlimited Library Management Collection) [Hardcover]

Karl Bridges (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313322945 | ISBN-13: 978-0313322945 | Publication Date: April 30, 2003

Librarianship has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. In addition to subject area knowledge and interpersonal ability, librarians must now possess considerable technical skill. This collection of 50 essays, all written by librarians working in college, university, and public libraries, elucidates the many facets of modern librarianship, as well as the personal and professional characteristics and skills expected of today's librarians. Topics include:

Required knowledge and attitudes

Interviewing techniques

The role of technology

Interpersonal relationships

The need for business and management skills

And more These short essays are written mostly in an informal style that combines library philosophy and practical advice. The collection will be a useful for discussion and class assignments in introductory library science courses. The Greenwood Library Management Collection of professional handbooks provides librarians with operations and management strategies for all types of libraries: public, academic, school, and specialized. Gerard B. McCabe, Director of Libraries at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, serves as Series Editor. Books in this series cover such topics as second generation automated systems, automated retrieval in libraries, circulation department procedures, the consultant-library relationship, strategic management of academic libraries, multicultural librarianship, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This collection of 53 essays sheds light on the knowledge, skills, and attitude required of new librarians today. Reading this book confirms that a distinct philosophical position, as well as subject area knowledge, technical skill, and interpersonal ability, is what being a "modern" librarian is all about. Contributors hail from diverse backgrounds that enrich the book. More akin to personal reflections, essays are organized in the order in which they were received; arrangement by various themes would have strengthened the work. Some essays are carefully documented; others lack any notes whatsoever. A three-page index concludes the book. A more substantive index would have improved access. Readers interested in personal perspectives on librarianship in the twenty-first century will find this a pleasant enough and even upbeat read; more critical readers will be frustrated by the book's scope, organization, challenges to access, and contributors' informal style. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“This is an exciting collection of 53 short essays by practitioners in the field who describe their visions of qualifications and attributes desired in librarians of the 21st century.... This work has value on many levels. It is a refresher course and eye-opener for experienced professionals who will gain insight by learning about the knowledge, skills and abilities which are required of new librarians and perhaps, be encouraged to update their own education. Those responsible for recruiting personnel will be able to target the most important attributes in selecting staff for their institutions and in crafting job descriptions. It will also help library school admissions officers establish criteria for prospective candidates for their graduate school programs.... Recommended primarily for library school collections and college libraries.”–Technicalities

“Expectations of Librarians in the 21st Century is an enjoyable read and an excellent way to begin or continue a dialogue about issues related to the library's future.”–College & Reserch Libraries

“This collection of 53 essays sheds light on the knowledge, skills, and attitude required of new librarians today. Reading this book confirms that a distinct philosophical position, as well as subject area knowledge, technical skill, and interpersonal ability, is what being a 'modern' librarian is all about.... Readers interested in personal perspectives on librarianship in the 21st century will find this a pleasant enough and even upbeat read.”–Booklist/Professional Reading

“The essayists--who work in all types of libraries--describe the personal and professional characteristics and skills expected of today's librarians.”–American Libraries

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited (April 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313322945
• ISBN-13: 978-0313322945
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,308,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book!!!, May 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Expectations of Librarians in the 21st Century (Libraries Unlimited Library Management Collection) (Hardcover)

I just had an opportunity to read this book (someone loaned me their copy)and was fascinated. It's quite possibly the best book on librarianship that I've ever read. It is so interesting to read about how people deal with their lives as librarians. It's also great on practical tips. Having worked in academic libraries for over 40 years I think I know libraries and it's clear that the writers and editor really know what they're talking about. I had read some of the articles written by the editor, Karl Bridges, in American Libraries and elsewhere, but didn't realize what a great writer he was until I read this book. This book is something that every working librarian should read. In fact, I have a niece who is thinking about becoming a librarian and I plan to buy her a copy. I just wish I had had something like this when I started working as a librarian.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, May 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Expectations of Librarians in the 21st Century (Libraries Unlimited Library Management Collection) (Hardcover)

I just had a chance to finish this book this weekend. This is a wonderful book! The editor has put together a fascinating collection of essays from librarians all over in all different kinds of libraries. They talk about their lives, how they do their jobs, and the challenges that they face moving into a new era.
This is a must-read for anyone who is interested in how librarians work now. It gives both philosophical insights as well as practical tips of value to both working librarians and those aspiring to be librarians. It's not valuable just for librarians, but for anyone interested in understanding the changing nature of work in America.
The writing is clear, crisp, and entertaining. The book is also well organized and edited with a useful index. Besides librarians this book would also be useful for any place that is doing career guidance -- one of the best overviews of what it means to work as a librarian that I have ever seen.
The only bad part about this book is the cost... I hope that they do a ... paperback version of this as soon as possible since it deserves to be on every librarian's bookshelf. There's nothing even remotely comparable to this book available. A real contribution to the literature!