Can we meet the challenge? The educating systems librarian research project report 3

The investigators examined 133 job advertisements with job title "systems l ibrarians" and other similar job titles in American Libraries from January 1996 to December 1997. Information about full-time positions available in t he United States only was collected. For examination, four variables and th eir components were studied: degree requirements, work experience, job resp onsibilities, and knowledge and skills. Based on the classified job adverti sements three types of libraries were identified: academic, public and othe r libraries. Two follow-up questionnaires were distributed to library direc tors and newly hired systems librarians of the 133 libraries. The follow-up survey based on the two questionnaires reflects that the majority of emplo yers are satisfied with their newly hired systems librarians. However, they have higher expectations from the positions in terms of qualifications and responsibilities. The investigators also examined the curricula of seven A merican LIS schools which concentrate on educating "systems librarians" to provide recommendations to the curriculum design.