Here is a crucial book on the neglected issue of continuing education of reference librarians. For librarians seeking to enhance and maintain a high level of quality reference work and for managers who must assure that their staffs receive the basics in continuing education, this is essential reading. Continuing Education of Reference Librarians addresses the concerns of all librarians that they must be informed and educated in order to excel in their work. In the first several chapters of this comprehensive volume, on-the-job librarians focus on the increased need for nontraditional approaches to continuing education and training of reference staff. They offer practical ways of making additional training both useful and relatively easy to carry out within the library setting. Teachers of reference offer suggestions for contending with current formal courses, and they also examine the responsibilities of not only the reference librarian but also the bibliographer and faculty member in staying abreast of current trends. Also in this broad-based look at continuing education is a list of critical skills most librarians expect of their reference people, including reference interview techniques, mastery of basic reference sources, and an understanding of new technologies; a review of the most revolutionary change in teaching reference librarianship in the last 100 years--the online search; and a discussion on ethics, including the need for librarians to be aware of the basic documents of the American Library Association, and more importantly, the need to treat all library users equally, in terms of access and service, regardless of status and personal prejudice. Continuing Education of Reference Librarians focuses on specific types of training for librarians. Authorities explain pioneering programs in California and Maryland which deal with teaching basic reference tools to beginning librarians and paraprofessionals. They also discuss the role of multitype networks in continuing education as the most cost and time efficient means available today, and the use of self-directed contract learning as a method that requires long-term planning and rewards in contrast to the immediate results of a short-term plan of education. The management perspective of continuing education is also included. Working library directors offer their observations on sound, inspirational approaches to continuing education. They also examine the critical role department heads play as mentor to beginning reference librarians.

This book, first published in 1990, addresses the concerns of librarians that they must be informed and educated in order to excel in their work. It focuses on specific types of training for librarians. Authorities explain pioneering programs in California and Maryland which deal with teaching basic reference tools to beginning librarians and paraprofessionals. They also discuss the role of multitype networks in continuing education as the most cost and time efficient means available today, and the use of self-directed contract learning as a method that requires long-term planning and rewards in contrast to the immediate results of a short-term plan of education. The management perspective of continuing education is also included. Working library directors offer their observations on sound, inspirational approaches to continuing education. They also examine the critical role department heads play as mentor to beginning reference librarians.

Beyond the undergraduate and graduate levels, education has traditionally ceased when students enter the workforce as professionals in their respective fields. However, recent trends in education have found that adult students beyond the traditional university age often benefit greatly from returning to further their education. Adult and Continuing Education: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications investigates some of the most promising trends in furthering education and professional development in a variety of settings and industries. With an extensive array of chapters on topics ranging from non-traditional students to online and distance education for adult learners, this multi-volume reference book will provide students, educators, and industry professionals with the tools necessary to make the most of their return to the classroom.

Examine cataloging and classification training programs around the world Education for Library Cataloging: International Perspectives examines the global development of educational programs for cataloging and classification in the library and information field. Library school faculty and professional librarians from more than 20 countries discuss a wide range of topics, including formal school and continuing education of catalog librarians, education and training for paraprofessional staff in cataloging and technical services, changes in library school programs, and metadata and information organization instruction. Faculty members and seasoned librarians from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and the Middle East present case studies and overviews of library and information school programs, bibliographies of cited works in both Western and non-Western language literature, and plenty of helpful tables and charts. Articles presented in Education for Library Cataloging: International Perspectives are organized geographically to make it easier to check which countries are covered in each region, and to determine regional similarities and differences. Political, historical, cultural, religious, and linguistic factors were also considered to demonstrate the wide range of educational efforts and programs to cultivate cataloging professionals all over the world. Topics examined in Education for Library Cataloging: International Perspectives include: * education and training development for librarians in the University of Botswana Library * the library science school curricula in the Cross River State of Nigeria * the training of students in cataloging via distant education in South Africa * education programs in China * the education for knowledge organization (including cataloging and classification) in India * the current status of cataloging education in Japan * on the job training of catalog librarians in South Korea * the education for cataloging in Australia * how catalog librarians are trained in Germany and Austria * recent changes to the library education system in Poland * a critical study of cataloging instruction within the library and information science programs in Spain * a recent survey of graduate education and training for cataloging and classification in the United Kingdom * an overview of the education for cataloging and classification in Mexico * the current status of cataloging and classification education in Egypt * recent changes to cataloging teaching in Israel * the continuing education for catalogers in Saudi Arabia * and much more Many of the articles presented in Education for Library Cataloging: International Perspectives document the initial efforts to introduce education for cataloging in particular countries, including Egypt and Japan. This book is an invaluable resource for library and information school educators, administrators, and students.