In recent years a num ber of professional associations have adopted codes of ethics for specific groups of information professionals, including law librarians, health sciences librarians, and archivists. Discuss which ethical values seem to apply to all librarians and other i nformation professionals. Then select a type of library and discuss what particular types of ethical issues might arise there and how these values apply in that setting.
Classification schemes and controlled vocabularies present knowledge in terms of cate gories that are culturally defined. When providing access to materials, librarians are placed in the position of gatekeepers who enforce particular cultural systems. Identify ways in which librarians are addressing this challenge.
Describe efforts by librarians and others to understand information needs, information seeking behavior, and information use. Assess the contributions of such efforts. Include in your discussion the significance of at least three major studies or reports related to these topics.
Many indexes, reference works, and catalogs are available in both electronic and print formats. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each format. Discuss the criteria a library would use in deciding whether to purchase an index or reference w ork in electronic format and whether to continue the parallel print source.
Describe the challenges of designing information retrieval systems such as Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs). Your discussion should demonstrate an understanding of the point of view and problems of the user, the structure and content of the information, and the capabilities and limitations of technology.
Two of the greatest challenges and opportunities shared by most libraries and information professionals during the twentieth century have been (1) the need to address the information needs of culturally diverse communities, and (2) the need to create a culturally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Discuss two specific ways in which librarians have addressed each one of these challenges.
With the rapid increase in information, it is becoming increasingly difficult to catalog or index all information resources. Describe current alternatives for cataloging and indexing. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of automated indexing and retrieval systems. Include situations where automated indexing is likely to be most effective and situations where human indexing and organization are most effective.
Within libraries, paraprofessionals are taking over a variety of tasks formerl y handled by professional staff members. Discuss what paraprofessionals should know about the organizational structure of libraries and the values of librarianship in order to be effective library employees. Discuss steps that managers can take to help paraprofessionals understand the institutional setting in which they work.
Usability is a concept often used to refer to the ease with which an individual can use an information system to accomplish a task. Discuss the concept of "usability" with respect to the information tools and services of libraries and information centers. Your answer should include how professionals try to ensure usability of their products and services as well as how they can go about testing or evaluating the usability of their products and services.
Assume that you are a newly-hired collection development librarian in a type of library (public, academic, school, etc.) of your choice. Your job description emphasizes your responsibility \ldblquote to improve the quality and usefulness of the library's collection. Select a subject area such as art, education, history, biology, etc., and discuss precisely how you would determine the quality and usefulness of the current collection of library resources in that subject area as a prerequisite to further collection development.
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