Development of Library and Information Science Education in Africa

This paper gives a comprehensive account of the development of library and information science education in Africa. Ghana was first to start any kind of library education in 1944 but the formal education started at Ibadan, Nigeria in 1959. By 1970 there were six library schools; four new schools started during 1970s and another six during 1980s. Two Regional Schools with Master's programme in Information Science started in 1990. Two new schools are likely to start soon. Nigeria alone has eight schools providing professional education at all levels including PhD (which is only available in Nigeria) and an exclusive programme of Master in Information Science at ARCIS, Ibadan. Several schools, realizing the importance of new developments in information science and technology, are planning to incorporate this component into their curriculae. The existing programmes need to be assessed in context of information needs of Africa.     

Information Science Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Analysis

This article examines the trend of Information Science Education offered at various schools in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a view to assessing the present status, appropriateness, and future possibilities vis-à-vis the global trend. Information Science education is largely offered at the graduate level in SSA. The level of information technology (IT) being offered in the curricula, and the laboratory and library facilities available have been examined. Analysis of the survey findings was based on the UNESCO Modular Curriculum for Information Studies, with special emphasis on Information Science. The majority of the programmes were established in the 1980s. Library and Information Science education has developed rapidly in SSA and graduate programmes seem to have increased. Problems facing information science education in SSA are evident in the study. Reference to the US and UK programmes provides a glimpse of the trends of information science education in the developed countries.     

An international structure for library education

The training of information personnel at the middle level in Africa is discussed. The data were derived from the latest issues of the prospectuses of the library schools at the University of Ibadan and Botswana as well as a questionnaire designed to ascertain the characteristics of the trainees in both institutions. The study reveals that the curricula of both schools extend beyond preparing trainees for the techniques and processes of a library. The trainees in both schools have sufficient educational background and library/information work experience to enable them to manage the many one-man libraries scattered all over Africa effectively, after undergoing the diploma training. It is recommended that an amalgam of the curricula of both schools can be made the standard curriculum for any institution involved in a training programme for information personnel at this level.     

图书馆与情报学（LIS）的使命与视域

国外图书馆与情报学（LIS）形成于20世纪70年代,是此前的图书馆学与新生的情报学相结合的产物。分析这个学科中两个组成部分的使命与视域,揭示它们走向融合的基础。目前LIS的中文名称——图书馆与情报科学、图书馆与情报学、图书馆情报学、图书馆资讯学、现代图书馆学——还令人无所适从,但比名称更重要的,是认识到这是一个融贯的、统一的学科,有其统一的且不同于其他学科的使命和视域。     

The Reserve Department Revisited

The Future Voices in Public Services column is a forum for students in graduate library and information science programs to discuss key issues they see in academic library public services, to envision what they feel librarians in public service have to offer to academia, to tell us of their visions for the profession, or to tell us of research that is going on in library schools. We hope to provide fresh perspectives from those entering our field, in both the United States and other countries. Interested faculty of graduate library and information science programs who would like their students' ideas represented in these pages are invited to contact Nancy H. Dewald at nxd7@psu.edu.

Heather Dodge is a recent graduate of Long Island University's Palmer School of Library and Information Science and has completed an additional Master's degree in Humanities and Social Thought from NYU's Draper Program for Humanities and Social Thought. In this column, she discusses the effective development of chat reference competencies.

The ALA-Accredited Palmer School of Library and Information Science was established in 1959 at Long Island University's (LIU) Post campus. Palmer's mission is to empower information professionals through education, research and achievement. The Palmer School offers a Doctorate in Information Studies; the Master of Science in Library and Information Science with optional concentrations in Archives and Records Management, Rare Books and Special Collections; Advanced Certificates in both Archives and Records Management and in Public Library Administration. The School also offers a Masters in Science in School Library Media. The Archives and Records Management certificate can be taken post-Master's or concurrently as part of the MSLIS program and is now offered both face-to-face and online.     

Technology Criticism for Technophiles

The Future Voices in Public Services column is a forum for students in graduate library and information science programs to discuss key issues they see in academic library public services, to envision what they feel librarians in public service have to offer to academia, to tell us of their visions for the profession, and to tell us of research that is going on in library schools. We hope to provide fresh perspectives from those entering our field, in both the United States and other countries. Interested faculty of graduate library and information science programs who would like their students’ ideas represented in these pages are invited to contact Nancy H. Dewald at nxd7@psu.edu.

Matthew Baker is a recent graduate of the Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS). Here he makes the case for librarians to recognize both the strengths and limitations of technology, and to guide students toward that recognition as well.

Founded in 1902, Simmons GSLIS (http://www.simmons.edu/gslis/) is one of the country's oldest library and information science programs. With campuses in Boston and South Hadley, Mass., the school is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the Top 10 in the nation. GSLIS offers master's and doctoral programs, along with postmaster's licensure and certificate opportunities and continuing education workshops. Master's degree students can choose concentrations in Archives Management, School Library Teacher, or Library and Information Science; doctoral students focus either on Library and Information Science or Managerial Leadership in the Information Professions.

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(2) Prague Documentation Centre

Abstract

This paper describes the development of the library profession and education in Ethiopia from its beginning to date in the context of such developments in the USA, UK and Africa. The recognition of the library profession in Ethiopia started with some short and informal courses in 1959, and in 1966 by formally starting a diploma minor programme. At present, it is providing library and information training at diploma, bachelor’s and master’s levels.     

Academicism Versus Professionalism in LIS Programs

The Future Voices in Public Services column is a forum for students in graduate library and information science programs to discuss key issues they see in academic library public services, to envision what they feel librarians in public service have to offer to academia, to tell us of their visions for the profession, or to tell us of research that is going on in library schools. We hope to provide fresh perspectives from those entering our field, in both the United States and other countries. Interested faculty of graduate library and information science programs who would like their students' ideas represented in these pages are invited to contact Nancy H. Dewald at nxd7@psu.edu.

Martha Stortz is a student in the Library and Information Science (LIS) program at the University of Western Ontario. In this essay she offers her perspective on the teaching of librarianship.

The University of Western Ontario's LIS program is part of the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) and enjoys the benefits of interdisciplinarity brought about by collaboration with other FIMS programs such as Journalism and Media Studies. Originally founded as the independent School of Library and Information Science in 1967, the school merged with other programs in 1996 to form FIMS. Two major LIS programs of study are offered: one leading to the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) and the other to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MLIS program is accredited by the American Library Association.

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图书馆学学科发展与图情档一级学科建设的新形势

[目的/意义] 面对第五轮学科评估、“新文科”建设、iSchool运动等国内外学科发展环境的变化，图书馆学科建设面临着新的机遇与挑战。研究回归图书馆学根本，提出图书馆学需要固本创新，同时与图书情报档案一级学科建设相协同，为我国图书馆学教育与一级学科建设长期发展提供启示。[方法/过程] 通过对图书馆学学科本源、图书馆学学科教育与一级学科协同发展进行分析，探讨我国图书馆学学科建设及图书情报与档案管理一级学科建设需面对的新形势。[结果/结论] 研究提出图书馆学的三个根本，强调图书馆学学科建设需要固本创新，以学科建设协同观进行图书馆学学科建设，提出图书馆学学科建设应该有战略、协同、高质量的发展观。     

《国外图书馆学情报学最新理论与实践研究》前言

介绍《国外图书馆学情报学最新理论与实践研究》一书的主要内容,从基础理论、新技术应用、组织管理和教育四个部分论述近年一些发达国家在图书情报研究和图书情报事业方面所取得的主要成就,以对我国图书情报事业发展和学科建设提供借鉴。     

中国图书情报与档案管理教育发展研究:历史与现状

本文的研究问题包括:中国图书情报与档案管理学科教育的发展历史是怎样的?目前该学科教育的专业发展规模、师资队伍、学生培养的现状是什么?经验与发展建议有哪些?论文采集数据的方法和途径为:向全国高校与科研院所的所有图书情报与档案管理学科院系机构发放学科发展历史与现状问卷并回收56份有效机构问卷,并通过网络调查获取另外22家机构的学科点现状,对七所院校开展实地调研和访谈。核心研究结论为:第一,中国图书情报与档案管理教育百年发展中学科点从无到有,从少到多,艰难而荣耀,图书馆学、情报学与档案学历经各自独立创建并发展之后在1998年融合基础上走过了坚守主流专业并积极拓展新领域的道路。第二,图书情报与档案管理无论是单独建系还是在历史、文学、管理或图书馆实体机构之下创立,经历了平均3. 77次的院系名称更名,目前大多数学科点以信息管理或信息资源管理作为名称并基本稳定下来。第三,中国图书情报与档案管理教育经历百年的沉淀和发展后,尽管师资规模仍然偏小,但已形成相对稳定、不断更新换代的师资队伍,国际化程度不高、学缘结构不够优化等问题值得关注。第四,中国图书情报与档案管理教育的在读学生中本科生培养规模大于硕士和博士,但从学科点授予学位情况看,从初创时期的以培养本科生为主已过渡到现在以培养硕士生为主的阶段;本科、硕士和博士在就业去向上均以签署就业协议或者国内外升学为主要去向,本学科毕业生选择自主创业的比例不高。论文最后提出中国图书情报与档案管理教育发展中的若干方向。     

国内外图书情报学研究生应用型课程设置研究与启示

文章选取了国内外在图书情报学专业具有代表性的五所大学,对其图书情报学研究生课程按照理论型与应用型课程进行分类;通过对这五个院系应用型课程设置情况的比较与分析,总结出各自的特色;最后借鉴国外图书情报学教育的理念与经验,提出了我国图书情报学研究生应用型课程设置的改进措施。     

我国情报学博士生教育现状概述

论文通过对八所情报学博士招生单位的20l0年招生简章和专业目录进行调查统计,对招生单位、研究方向、招考模式、师资力量等几个方面进行统计分析,概括我国情报学博士生教育现状,剖析存在的问题,提出一些建议,旨在为我国情报学教育及情报学科的发展提供一些参考。     

塑造学科的未来——美国图书馆与信息学教育协会1998年年会侧记

塑造学科的未来——美国图书馆与信息学教育协会１９９８年年会侧记符绍宏ＡＢＳＴＲＡＣＴＩｎｔｈｅ１９９８ａｎｎｕａｌｃｏｎｆｅｒｅｎｃｅｏｆＡＬＩＳＥ（ＡｓｓｏｃｉａｔｉｏｎｆｏｒＬｉｂｒａｒｙａｎｄＩｎｆｏｒｍａｔｉｏｎＳｃｉｅｎｃｅＥｄｕｃａｔｉｏ...     

韩国文献情报学研究生教育概况

概述韩国当代文献情报学研究生教育现状;介绍韩国文献情报学教育的历史沿革;重点阐述韩国文献情报学的两类研究生教育的教育制度、教育机构、教育目标、教学方法、入学资格、毕业条件,并列举韩国延世大学和中央大学普通研究生院文献情报学系的硕博士课程设置。     

基于关键词共现网络的我国图情领域近三十年学科发展脉络分析

选取图书馆学、情报学领域各4种核心期刊,构建近30年的关键词共现网络,引入学科隶属度和G-N聚类算法,对图书馆学、情报学领域的知识地图进行共时和历时分析。研究发现:该领域的关键词共现网络符合复杂网络的基本特征。共时分析发现:可将该领域划分为10个板块;属于情报学的5个(信息组织、信息检索、文献计量学、用户研究与服务、网络技术);属于图书馆学的4个(信息资源建设、文献学、资源共建共享、图书馆事业);两学科关注度相当的1个(开放存取)。历时分析发现:1990年以前图书馆学研究的体系性更强;1990-2000年,情报学的发展态势强于图书馆学;2000年后图书馆学则强于情报学。     

The Nature and Trends in Research and Journal Literature in English Speaking Africa

Three major international library science journals -International Information and Library Review, Information Development and Libri are studied to determine the nature and trends in library and information science research in Africa. 72 papers are analysed, covering the period 1990-1992 (three years). This includes the status of the authors, gender, affiliation, country and types of research. The type and origin of cited documents the authors used in writing articles were also explored. The findings show that more information professionals in Africa are getting involved in research and publishing, with the major areas being agricultural information and library education. A majority of the journals cited, however, came from outside Africa.     

The Impact Factor: Implications of Open Access on Quality

The Future Voices in Public Services column is a forum for students in graduate library and information science programs to discuss key issues they see in academic library public services, to envision what they feel librarians in public service have to offer to academia, to tell us of their visions for the profession, or to tell us of research that is going on in library schools. We hope to provide fresh perspectives from those entering our field, in both the United States and other countries. Interested faculty of graduate library and information science programs who would like their students’ ideas represented in these pages are invited to contact Nancy H. Dewald at nxd7@psu.edu.

Sara E. Grozanick is a student in the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) at the Pratt Institute, New York. Recognizing the significance of the Open Access movement to the advancement of scholarship, here she writes a bibliographic essay on research into the citation impact of open access journal articles.

The School of Information and Library Science (SILS) at the Pratt Institute located in Manhattan and offering LIS education since 1890, features a curriculum based on Cultural Informatics and World Information, Society & Environments (WISE). The program reflects the arts orientation of Pratt and its alliance with cultural institutions in the city such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Public Library, and the Brooklyn Museum. The nearly 400 students who attend Pratt-SILS onsite have the opportunity to select a master's program resulting in a MS in Library and Information Science or a MSLIS with Library Media Specialist Certification, archives certificate, or dual degree programs resulting in a MSLIS/MS History of Art, a MSLIS/MFA Digital Arts, or a MSLIS/JD with Brooklyn Law School.

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Agricultural development and library services

This paper summarizes the findings of a survey of the careers of graduates from the M.Sc. in Information Science programme at the School of Information Studies for Africa (SISA), Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, between 1990/92 and 1994/96. The SISA programme has been recognized as relevant to the Library and Information Science employment and market demands. Career opportunities and market requirements for information scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa are promising within governmental, private and international organizations. Several recommendations have been suggested to enhance the SISA programme. The need for the curricula to reflect and remain responsive to the developments in the “Information Age” has been underscored.