Dissertation Information for Charlotte Marie Mugnier NAME: - Charlotte Marie Mugnier
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Columbia University (USA) (1976)
ADVISORS: - Lowell A. Martin
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - None
MPACT Status: Incomplete - Ambiguous
Title: THE LIBRARY ASSISTANT: HIGH LEVEL PARAPROFESSIONAL
Abstract: A study of current practice in large public libraries in the United States in the use of high level paraprofessionals whose basic educational requirements and nature of responsibility are consistent with those described in the American Library Association Policy Statement, Library Education and Manpower for the "Library Associate."
A total of 593 staff members in ten sample libraries participated in the study: 194 administrators and supervisors, 135 first-level librarians and 264 library assistants. The in-depth on-site studies of the practices of the ten sample libraries were proceeded by a mail survey of 136 public libraries serving populations of at least 225,000 to provide a general picture of the use of high level paraprofessionals. Response was received from 83 percent of the libraries queried. A summary of these responses is available in the study's appendix.
Two other instruments were used in the study: a task/responsibility checklist consisting of seventy library operations and interview schedules designed for administrators and supervisors, first level librarians and library assistants.
Conclusions: Library assistants are performing in virtually all large public libraries tasks that were once thought appropriate for assignment to graduate librarians only and that in the opinion of their supervisors they are performing the tasks satisfactorily. There appears to be substantial agreement among administrators and supervisors as to the appropriateness of non-appropriateness of these tasks for such assignment. Current practice thus defines a body of tasks as appropriate for the library assistant (associate).
The tasks most frequently assigned to this group are in the public service sector, especially in the area of one-to-one service for users. The data also reveal a much greater consistence in assigning tasks to library assistants by public service supervisors than by cataloging supervisors. In a comparison tasks assigned to librarians at the first professional level and to library assistants, there appears to be only minor distinctions. If assignments of a given task, to a professional and not to a nonprofessional can be used as an indicator of whether or not the operation is professional "not a single task tested was considered such by even half of the supervisors. There are many tasks which are considered not suitable for assignment to assistants, but neither are they considered appropriate for assignment to first-level librarians. Differentiation in assignments seem not to occur until the librarian has passed the initial professional level.
The emergence of the library assistant (associate) as a recognized category of library personnel appears to be based on firm conviction rather than on expediency.
Implications for library education and for library administration are drawn.
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MPACT Scores for Charlotte Marie Mugnier A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:01:51
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