Librarianship and the science of information

Joseph C. Donohue

American Documentation, 1966, vol. 17, issue 3, 120-123

Abstract: Utilizing query responses from accredited library schools, courses offered have been analyzed to determine emphasis on various subjects, with special reference to Information Science (IS)—i.e., the study of the information processes—and Science Information (SI)—the bibliography of science, operation of scientific information services, etc. Generally, schools continue to stress subjects related to operation of public and school libraries. Certain library schools are developing programs and/or courses in IS and SI and in some cases the two are combined. Many schools now offer some training in nontraditional techniques. Increased stress on science information and the addition of courses in the new information technology have not radically altered the theoretical structure of library education. But the Information Science approach promises to contribute greatly to that structure. Librarianship possesses a long‐established corpus of knowledge relating to a science of information. Librarians, traditionally service‐oriented rather than research‐oriented, have not exploited that body of knowledge for general principles of IS. Research should be directed to the areas of: 1 Cataloging and classification—the logical and epistemological underpinnings of respective systems; the relationships of given systems to prevailing theory of knowledge. 2 The technique of reference service—for its rich potential contribution to the theory of problem solving. 1 The understanding of the social and institutional framework of the information community. Library schools need now to accompany technical instruction with research into these and similar problems in order to contribute to the theory of IS and to gain from IS better technique for the practice of librarianship.

Date: 1966
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