1. How is the role of reference librarians changing now that many people have direct access to online sources? Discuss.

2. What do you believe should be the role, responsibilities, and functions of a national library? In what ways does (or does not) the Library of Congress fulfill your definition of a national library's role and functions? What other libraries or agencies in the United States perform some of the functions of a national library? Discuss.

3. Describe four or five recent developments or emerging trends in technical services. Discuss how these are changing the nature of technical services in a type of library of your choice.

4. Patricia Battin, President of the Commission on Preservation and Access, speaks of preservation in terms of stewardship. She believes stewardship is the core of librarianship and asserts that the role of the librarian is to assume responsibility for providing access to the record of our intellectual heritage as far into the future as possible. Discuss these various aspects of stewardship and the role of librarians and archivists in providing access to the intellectual record now and into the future.

5. Group or team management has been shown to be more successful in for-profit companies than the traditional, hierarchical form of management. Choose a type of library or an archive and comment on the advantages of team management in that setting. Also discuss possible limitations of the team management approach in an archive or the library you select.

6. How can the professional ethics of librarianship apply to librarian working in a for-profit information organization?

7. Libraries, archives, and other information agencies are often designed to respond best to users who know what they want and are looking for something specific. Catalogs, indexes, reference staff, etc. are best prepared to answer specific questions such as "I'm looking for . . .".However, users have other information needs that are served by browsing. Discuss how information professionals can organize information systems, arrange materials, and provide services that will encourage and facilitate browsing.

8. Automation has pushed librarians and archivists toward standards. Describe the importance of such standards for either libraries or archives. What are the disadvantages?

9. Discuss the effects of the "user as the focus" principle on library operations. You may take a holistic approach by discussing various areas of library service, or focus your discussion on a particular area, such as reference service, collection development, or cataloging practices.

10. Recently a number of states have instituted continuing education requirements for practicing professionals including architects, lawyers, and social workers. Discuss whether such requirements should apply to librarians and archivists as well. Should the state or professional organization determine who is "librarian" or "archivist"? What can the professions do to ensure that their members keep current with changes in their field?

Return to Comprehensive Examination Questions Page