Dissertation Information for Catherine Howard NAME: - Catherine Howard
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Indiana University (USA) (1988)
ADVISORS: - Shirley A. Fitzgibbons
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - George Whitbeck - Judith Serebnick - Diane Felmlee - Verna Leah Pungitore
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: Children's librarianship: A descriptive study of the responsibilities found in job announcements and written job descriptions, compared with perceptions of successful applicants
Abstract: During the past ten years, library school educators and professional librarians have become increasingly concerned by the lack of individuals entering the profession of children's librarianship compared to the needs of the job market.
This study examines the job demand for children's librarians in relationship to the current supply of qualified people. Results of a content analysis of 1984 job announcements and written job descriptions are compared with responses to a survey of successful applicants for these same positions. These comparisons relate to the following research questions: Are qualified, professionally educated (M.L.S.) graduates with specializations in children's librarianship being hired to fill the nationally advertised positions? Are the qualifications in the job announcements and written job descriptions clearly defined statements regarding job responsibilities? Do the written job descriptions indicate the same degree of importance of specific responsibilities as those responsibilities on the job? How do new children's librarians perceive their commitment to this career as compared to current negative images found in the professional literature?
The survey respondents perceived twenty-six of these responsibilities to be more important on the job than within their written job descriptions according to frequency and t-test data. Responsibilities such as knowledge of the new technologies, developing departmental budgets, and an interest in research do not receive the same importance perceived by the 63 survey respondents on the job as the responsibilities of collection development, reference/reader's advisory, or programming.
Although the personality trait "like children" has the highest importance on the job, reference/reader's service for children, parents, and teachers is the most important responsibility on the job. Child advocacy as well as knowledge of collection development theories (evaluation and selection of materials) are also considered to be important. Library instruction and toddler programs are the most important types of programs considered necessary by these same respondents.
Professionally educated children's librarians are considered necessary by public library administrators. However, there continues to be a need for children's librarians, particularly at the entry level.
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MPACT Scores for Catherine Howard A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:07:38
Advisors and Advisees Graph
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