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Practitioners, Educators Debate Future of Library Education at ALA CongressThe 116 delegates to ALA’s Congress on Professional Education were warned not to expect a panacea when they gathered in Washington April 30–May 1. Instead, they tried to reach consensus about how education for librarianship must change to meet the nation’s growing need for information professionals with both traditional and technological skills. The congress was prompted by the elimination of the word “library” from many university program titles, and from the perceived shortage of professionals trained in certain specialties, high among them youth services. Through a series of panel discussions and facilitated small-group brainstorming sessions, the delegates concluded that the “disconnect” between educators and practitioners was largely to blame. They formulated a list of what library associations, schools, alumni, and employers must do to alleviate it. Ken Haycock, library school professor at the University of British Columbia and chair of the congress steering committee, said the recommendations will be reported to the ALA Executive Board over the next six weeks. An independent report will also appear on the American Libraries Web site. Posted May 10, 1999. |
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