Defining the Academic Librarian

Book Review Essay: Deaning in Academe

“…In an earlier paper on ''Defining the Academic Librarian," this reviewer suggested that librarians, in addition to their basic skills, need to understand the history and development of higher education. 2 As a former director and dean, I can fully appreciate the frustrations of which these three ex-deans speak. But I do not buy their argument that deans have little power, nor do I think their examples substantiate that view.…”

Seeking Full Citizenship: A Defense of Tenure Faculty Status for Librarians

“…12 Academic librarians, like all faculty members, are what they do: in other words, they profess their calling through action, and the best librarians make great "contributions to learning and scholarship-which is, after all, what our colleges and universities are about." 13 Many scholars argue against this concept of academic librarian as "teacher-scholar." They claim that academic librarians do not fit the traditional (read: conservative, stereotypical) model of teaching faculty and are ill suited for full faculty status.…”

Beyond Orientation: The Roles of Senior Librarians in Training Entry-Level Reference Colleagues

“…Newly hired librarians who clearly understand their library's values and norms will also be better able to explain public service policies and procedures to library users. 24 Senior librarians must assist junior colleagues to better understand the context in which an academic library functions. They can stress that, in addition to performing primary responsibilities within the library, the role of librarians includes supporting the university, its mission, and its institutional goals and values.…”