Introduction to The Library and Information Professions

IntroductionToTheLibraryAndInformationProfessions TV pdf Introduction to the Library and Information Professions Introduction to the Library and Information Professions ROGER C GREER ROBERT J GROVER S[.]

Introduction to the Library and Information Professions Introduction to the Library and Information Professions ROGER C GREER ROBERT J GROVER SUSAN G FOWLER Westport, Connecticut r London Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Greer, Roger C., 1928– Introduction to the library and information professions / Roger C Greer, Robert J Grover, and Susan G Fowler p cm Includes bibliographical references and index ISBN-13: 978–1–59158–486–5 (alk paper) Information science – Philosophy Library science – Philosophy Information services Information policy Information society Knowledge, theory of Learning and scholarship I Grover, Robert J., 1942– II Fowler, Susan G., 1958– III Title Z665.G87 2007 020 – dc 2007013540 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available C 2007 by Roger C Greer, Robert J Grover, and Susan G Fowler Copyright ° All rights reserved No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2007013540 ISBN-13: 978–1–59158–486–5 First published in 2007 Libraries Unlimited, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 A Member of the Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc www.lu.com Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984) 10 This book is a collection of ideas, theories, and models—the result of a professional lifetime of discussions, teaching, thought, and work in the library and information professions Influential in this thinking was the critical input for almost 50 years of Natalia Greer, wife of Roger She was a librarian responsible for influencing Roger to enter that profession, and she was always there, critiquing his thinking and offering constructive and sometimes acerbic suggestions as we did our work Nat left us in September 2003, but our memories of her and her contributions to our thinking are indelible To her we dedicate this book Roger C Greer Bob Grover Susan G Fowler Contents Acknowledgments xi 1—Introduction: Purpose and Objectives of This Book Chapter Overview Why Read This Book? The Intended Audience Scope of the Book The Role of Professionals The Value of Theory Theory in the Information Professions Today Theory and Its Uses in Professional Service Defining Terms Information and Communication Professions: Convergence and Divergences Similarities and Differences among the Information Professions Characteristics of a Profession Library Technicians Conclusion References 1 2 2—Creation, Diffusion, and Utilization of Knowledge Chapter Overview Introduction Information and Data Knowledge Creation of Knowledge Dissemination Diffusion Utilization Change and the Evolution of Professions A Model for Explaining the Creation, Diffusion, and Utilization of Knowledge Creating New Knowledge Diffusion of Knowledge Public Policy Role of Professions in the Utilization of Knowledge Implications for Information Professionals Summary References 10 12 16 17 18 18 21 21 21 21 22 22 22 22 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 viii Contents 3—The Role of Professionals as Change Agents Chapter Overview The Impact of Change on Society Categories of Change The Paradigm Shift in Western Society The Paradigm Shift in Disciplines and Professions Paradigm Shift in the Information Professions Levels of User-Centered Services Conclusion References 33 33 33 34 36 39 41 42 43 43 4—The Science Supporting the Information Professions Chapter Overview Introduction The Importance of Theory to Professionals Levels of Theory Characteristics Common to the Information Professions The Science of the Information Professions Policy and Environmental Context Conclusion References 45 45 45 45 46 47 48 53 57 57 5—Information Transfer in the Information Professions Chapter Overview Introduction to Information Transfer A Closer Look at Information Transfer Information Professions and Information Transfer A Model for Managing an Information Utility Community Information Infrastructure Conclusion References 59 59 59 61 67 70 74 75 76 6—The Cycle of Professional Service Chapter Overview Role of the Professional The Diagnostic Process Community Analysis Conclusion References 77 77 77 79 86 94 95 7—The Information Infrastructure 97 Chapter Overview 97 Definition of “Information Infrastructure” 97 A Model for Studying the Information Infrastructure: The Transportation Infrastructure 99 Elements of the Information Infrastructure 100 A Model for Analyzing the Information Infrastructure 102 Patterns of Information or Knowledge Creation and Recording 102 Organization of Information and Knowledge 112 Patterns for Diffusion of Knowledge 118 Information Utilization in Society 119 A Model for the Technology and Information Infrastructure 122 Role of Information Professionals 123 Contents Summary 125 References 125 8—The Processes and Functions of Information Professionals 127 Chapter Overview 127 The Importance of Customization 128 The Processes of Building a Collection of Resources 128 The Functions of Information Agencies 135 Levels of Service 142 Putting It All Together: The Role of the Professional 143 References 144 9—The Infrastructure of the Information Professions 147 Chapter Overview 147 Characteristics of a Profession 147 History 148 Body of Knowledge 151 Professional Associations 153 Literature of the Field 153 Professional Education 155 Accreditation 156 Guidelines for Service 156 Code of Ethics 156 Public Recognition 157 Taxonomy of the Information Professions 158 Conclusion 160 References 161 10—Trends and Issues Chapter Overview Introduction Information Infrastructure Issues Issues in Library/Information Education Recent Studies of LIS Education Conclusion References 163 163 163 163 170 170 172 173 Appendix A: Codes of Ethics 175 Appendix B: Professinal Organizations 181 Appendix C: Professional Journals 185 Bibliography 189 Index 193 ix Acknowledgments A special “thank you” is extended to Dr Martha Hale She participated in the development of the theories, models, and perspectives in this book through her work with the Community Analysis Research Institute at the University of Denver and the development of the new curricula launched at the University of Southern California and Emporia State University Her tireless enthusiasm and creative insights were fundamental to the evolution of this publication We would like to thank the professional colleagues who shared their ideas with us: Sue Blechl, Director, Emporia Public Library; Sharon Coatney, Acquisitions Editor, Libraries Unlimited; Joyce Davis, Dean of Libraries and Archives, Emporia State University; Dalene Hawthorne, Head of Systems and Technical Services, Emporia State University; and Heather Wade, Archivist, Emporia State University We are also grateful to Waseem Afzal, doctoral student, who assisted with a review of literature and helped with various aspects of the book preparation Following is a special acknowledgment from coauthor Susan Fowler: Years ago, I was a graduate assistant at Emporia State University’s School of Library and Information Management (SLIM) During an orientation session for new library school students, Dean Marty Hale asked each of us to introduce ourselves by sharing a life-changing moment Herbert Achleitner summed it up for many of us that day: “I met Roger Greer.” Fifteen years later, I still feel that way I was fortunate to be Roger’s graduate assistant and later, research assistant In those days he had a huge chalkboard in his office on which he diagrammed emerging models I was there the day he discovered the catalyst that moves a library (in its community’s mind) from a monument to a utility I likened the moment to what Albert Einstein’s graduate assistant must have experienced, a compliment Roger has never accepted He can refute it all he wants, but the fact remains that many of us— either alumnae of Syracuse, Denver, University of Southern California, Rutgers, or ESU—owe our careers to Roger’s genius His ideas were the fuel for SLIM’s revolutionary curriculum change in the early 1980s, and they are the core of this book He is generous with his ideas and happiest when others implement them His pleasure comes not from accolades but from seeing his ideas in action and the resulting contributions to our profession’s body of knowledge Writing this book with Roger and my husband, Bob Grover, was possible through Bob’s superb organization skills (Roger and I are much more the creative types) It is with a profound sense of gratitude that I thank my coauthors for letting me in on the fun