Developing Science Librarians: Preparing Sci-Tech Librarians/Information Professionals in ALA Accredited Programs: The More Things Change, the More they Remain the Same

Purposes

1. The placement of graduates of ALA accredited programs in sci-tech library/information positions;
2. The educational background of ALA program graduates with science/technology undergraduate or graduate degrees;
3. The nature of the curriculum for specializing in sci-tech information services at the ALA accredited programs.

Preparing Sci-Tech Librarians: Continuing Problems

1. Science and technology graduates can make a lot more money in places other than libraries so they do not enroll in library schools or take jobs in libraries
2. Specialization is not possible or desirable in the first professional degree program
3. Well trained librarians can provide good services in any subject area and do not need specialized subject degrees to be effective

Survey 1 Questions:

1. How many graduates with a specialization/major area of interest in science and technology libraries/information centers were produced by these programs?
2. Where are the graduates of these programs being placed in sci-tech libraries and information centers in terms of: type of library/information center and type of subject specialty?
3. What percentages of the students in these programs have subject degrees in sci-tech and how many in each subject area?

Survey 2: Questions

1. How many schools are offering specialized courses in sci-tech related reference areas?
2. What other types of sci-tech courses are being offered?

1999 Graduates with ST Specializations/Interests

• Approx. 11% of the 1999 graduates have specializations OR interests in ST information positions
• 11% of 5,024 graduates of ALA accredited schools in US, Canada and Puerto Rico is 553 graduates each year for ST positions

Placement by Type of Library/Information Center

• Academic Libraries 39%
• Public Libraries 4%
• Corporate Libraries 24%
• Other Corporate 8%
• Government Libraries 5%
• Commercial Info. Services 6%
• Non-Profit Libraries 3%
• Other (mostly health sciences) 14%

Placement by Subject Specialization

• Biological Sciences 16%
• Chemistry 8%
• Engineering 15%
• Environmental Sciences 3%
• Geology 2%
• Math 0%
• Medicine/Health Sciences 45%
• Physics & Astronomy 0%
• Other sciences 11%

Current Enrolled Students with Sci-Tech Degrees

• Average % of currently enrolled students with sci-tech
• Undergrad/grad degrees: 5.61%
• Minimum percentage: 2%; Maximum percentage: 11%

Enrolled Students with Degrees in Sciences and Technology

• Biological Sciences 40%
• Chemistry 11%
• Engineering 2%
• Environmental Sciences 2%
• Geology 4%
• Medicine/Health Sciences 21%
• Physics and Astronomy 0%
• Other sciences 12%

Schools Offering Specialized ST Courses:

• General Science Reference Courses:
• 44 schools = 79% offer at least one course
• 2 schools = 4% offer 2 courses

Schools Offering Specialized ST Courses

• Health Sciences Reference Courses
• 36 schools = 64% offer at least one course
• 2 schools = 21% offer two courses
• 1 school = 2% offers 3 courses

Schools Offering Specialized ST Courses

• Chemistry reference courses: 1 school = 2% offers 3 courses
• Engineering reference courses: *No schools offer a separate course that covers only engineering

*the presentation of this paper at SLA reported 2 schools offering engineering only literature course; this was reported in error (see full paper for details)

Other Types of Specialized ST Courses

• Health Sciences Library Management courses:
• 13 schools = 23% offer 1 course
• 4 schools = 8% offer 2 courses
• 1 school = 2% offers 3 courses

Page last updated: October 25, 2000