A summary of responses and questions from conference participants regarding the results of the survey

Schmidt, Nancy J.

English

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Discussion: Survey Results 
Participants responded with a variety of questions, suggestions, and observations 
regarding the survey results. While there was general consensus that the data collected represent 
an important first step and contain valuable information, many expressed the desire for a more 
detailed interpretation of the data and the collection of some additional data.  Specifically, 
participants were interested in a more thorough breakdown of job responsibilities and duties 
among area librarians. How many area librarians are involved in bibliography, acquisitions, 
cataloging, etc.?  Are area librarians responsible for materials on a geographic area or only from 
a geographic area?  Some expressed interest in seeing correlative data among librarians, faculty, 
and scholars. Questions also were raised regarding the structural positions of area librarians 
within libraries and the expanding responsibilities of area librarians. Some participants described 
jobs where the responsibilities had expanded exponentially over the last decade. Others told of 
area positions in which other positions had been folded into the original. Participants noted that 
restructuring of some positions had been so drastic that collecting accurate information 
concerning job responsibilities may be difficult. Nonetheless, interest in obtaining more data ran 
very high.  
The subject of job responsibilities led to a discussion of career paths. Participants noted 
the diverse and sometimes unpredictable turns that had resulted in their eventual arrival as area 
librarians. Some expressed interest in further data on what life decisions, job experiences, and 
other factors culminated in choosing this profession. Many participants noted the time gap 
between area training and receiving the MLS. The two are seldom earned simultaneously.  This 
may change somewhat with the advent of dual degree programs. It also was noted that some area 
librarians receive their area training outside of traditional area programs, specifically in literature 
and linguistics. There was interest in finding out if library schools which had closed had offered 
courses on area librarianship. The need for encouraging students to prepare for a career in area 
librarianship from the time they first entered library school also was noted.  
There was consensus on the importance of language training and maintenance. Nearly 
everyone agreed that language proficiency needed to precede library science training. 
Participants noted that for many area specialists continually expanding language maintenance 
was necessary. Interest was expressed in collecting data on which institutions provide language 
maintenance support and how these programs are implemented.  The issue of English language 
proficiency was raised for those librarians who had received their initial training overseas.  
The revolution in computer technology and information resources was the focus of many 
comments. At least one participant felt that the emphasis on computer technology was replacing 
traditional area librarian strengths, specifically, knowledge of the literature and the area.  It was 
observed that recently the library science profession has begun attracting a larger percentage of 
students with a background in the sciences. However, the majority of students still come from 
the social sciences and humanities.  
In general, participants felt that the future would demand increased cooperation across 
disciplines, departments, and institutions. Many spoke of the broad diversity simply among the 
size of the libraries with international collections. Others noted the need to instill in educators a  
 
 
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broader international perspective in order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the 
librarians' problems and contributions. Cooperative collection development was suggested as a 
possible solution to some problems. 


Discussion: Survey Results

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Discussion: Survey Results

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