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ERIC Number: ED384351
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1994
Pages: 64
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: ISBN-0-87111-419-4
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Extending the Librarian's Domain: A Survey of Emerging Occupation Opportunities for Librarians and Information Professionals. SLA Occasional Papers Series, Number Four.
Horton, Forest Woody, Jr.
This paper is a review of emerging occupational opportunities for librarians and information professionals. It is structured around three concepts: working assumptions; changing environments; and emerging job opportunities. In the first section, the six assumptions upon which this review is based are outlined. The second section begins with a discussion of what and where the jobs are, including the difficulties in identifying opportunities, job titles, information management parameters, tracking vacancies, preparing and marketing oneself, and writing and presenting credentials. Proposals about the changing environment are examined: (1) information is coming to be regarded as a universal resource needed by all levels of society and in all sectors; (2) top level management and professionals in other disciplines are coming to realize that specialized education and training for information work is essential; (3) the library and information science field is the preeminent field that traditionally has educated and trained information professionals; and (4) too many resident job placement and counseling officers and programs at library schools still think primarily in terms of traditional librarianship jobs and recruitment channels. Several examples are given of business's realization of the key role of information resources. The strategic value of information, and self-image and its influence on others' image of information professionals are highlighted. The third section begins with an overview of emerging occupational opportunities, including why the new information intensive jobs are occurring; pinpointing jobs by economic sector and type; and the common information management component of new jobs (existability; availability; accessibility; retrievability; deliverability; and usability). Finally, nine employment sectors/segments are introduced: manufacturing/extractive industry companies; services businesses; government agencies and public utilities; academic and educational institutions; hospitals and health institutions; agricultural and food processing businesses; professional and trade associations, not-for-profits; research consulting organizations; and arts and entertainment organizations. An appendix provides key information components and illustrative considerations for each of the nine sectors. Eighty-two related readings are recommended. (Contains nine references.) (MAS)
Special Libraries Association, 1700 Eighteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20009-2508.
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Special Libraries Association, Washington, DC.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A