Year: 1982
Type: article
Abstract: Alternative Professional Models in the Information AgeValue premises underlying the "information versus instruction" debate in reference librarianship are examined in the context of technological design issues now before librarianship.Using theory developed by sociologists Rue Bucher and Anselm Strauss, it is argued that reference service is a "core task" for librarianship s professionalization movement.The "information versus instruction'' debate is shown to address a key design issue for reference as a human s6rvice, and that issue is how the service is to be distributed.Following discussion of the conflicting value premises underlying this design issue, certain economic and technological developments that may affect the future of reference service are described.The development of a new model for practice, which transcends both the intermediary and teacher role, is proposed.WILL BIBLIOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION specialists, who have invested considerable amounts of their creative talents and time in what they saw as an up-and-coming career path, be displaced?Is the future of reference to be in online database searching and the realization of the dream in which librarians cease to teach and, instead, provide directly all the information that users need?Facing a new technological environment, "instruction types" seem to be thinking not about how they are to further develop and modify their specialty in the Online Age; they're worrying about "survival."Rather than consider the future, this paper will look into the past-the past of bibliographic instruction, of reference service, and
Source: College & Research Libraries
Author: Brian Nielsen
Language: English
Subfield: Library and Information Sciences
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2153809944