An Analysis of Science-Engineering Academic Library Positions in the Last Three Decades

Theme: Staffing Issues in Sci-Tech Libraries

Authors

  • Nestor L. Osorio Northern Illinois University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/istl1777

Abstract

This study analyzes the position descriptions of science engineering librarians as they are described by job advertisements. Two hundred and one positions advertised by colleges and universities during the years 1976, 1986 and 1998 were examined. The journals American Libraries, and College and Research Libraries News were the sources for collecting data. Content analysis was used to determine how the positions' qualifications and job responsibilities have changed through the years. The results show a remarkable increase in required, preferred, desired qualifications and job responsibilities for science and engineering librarians. The results also show that job announcements published in three chosen years reflect how technology has changed the role of sci-tech librarians in the last decades. In terms of salaries, it was found that salaries did not increase proportionally with the increasing number of qualifications and responsibilities. Tables and charts are included.

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References

Chu, F. T. 1990. Evaluating the skills of the systems librarian. Journal of Library Administration 12(1): 91-102.

Copeland, A. W. 1997. The demand for serials catalogers: an analysis of job advertisements, 1980-1995. The Serials Librarian, 32(1/2): 27-37.

Cote, C. 1989. The library job market as seen from Quebec. Canadian Library Journal, 46(6): 165-168.

Reser, D. W. & Schuneman, A. P. 1992. The academic library job market: a content analysis comparing public and technical services. College & Research Libraries, 53(1): 49-58.

Statistical Abstract of the United States. 1998. 118th ed. Superintendent of Documents, Washington D.C. 395.

Zhou, Y. 1996. Analysis of trends in demand for computer-related skills for academic librarians from 1974 to 1994. College & Research Libraries, 57(3): 259-727.

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Published

1999-11-18

How to Cite

Osorio, N. L. (1999). An Analysis of Science-Engineering Academic Library Positions in the Last Three Decades: Theme: Staffing Issues in Sci-Tech Libraries. Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, (24). https://doi.org/10.29173/istl1777

Issue

No. 24 (1999): Fall (Theme: Staffing Issues in Sci-Tech Libraries)

Section

Board Accepted Articles

License

While ISTL has always been open access and authors have always retained the copyright of their papers without restrictions, articles in issues prior to no.75 were not licensed with Creative Commons licenses. Since issue no. 75 (Winter 2014), ISTL has licensed its work through Creative Commons licenses. Please refer to the Copyright and Licensing Information page for more information.

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