2005 Conference Objects

Raised By Wolves: The New Generation of Feral Professionals in the Academic Library

Neal, James G.

"Academic libraries are expanding the employment of individuals in professional assignments who do not have the basic traditional qualifying credential, the master’s degree in library science. This includes the hiring of staff with advanced degrees in subject disciplines, with specialized foreign language skills, with teaching experience, or with technology expertise, for example, into librarian positions. This includes a wide range of new professional assignments in such areas as systems, human resources, fundraising, publishing, instructional technology, and facilities management, for example, that demand diverse educational backgrounds. This includes the continuing transfer of responsibilities formerly carried out by librarians to support staff and student employees. In addition, there is a new cohort of MLS librarians who have received their degrees through distance rather than residential programs.
What are the implications of these trends for the academic library workforce and for the condition of the academic library workplace?" -- page 302