GRADUATE EDUCATION POSITION STATEMENT

Background

In June of 1988, SLA's Board of Directors approved the Association's first-ever assertion of the competencies and skills desirable to meet the educational needs of potential special librarians. Provision was made for the Professional Development Committee, which had developed the Statement, to periodically review and revise the document, if necessary.

The following is the first revision of the Statement since its inception. The Committee feels that the Position Statement is a very forward-looking document and has stood the test of time remarkably well. The changes made are not major and have been done mainly to emphasize the importance based on the different quality value-added services offered by corporate and other information specialists.

Please note that revisions are indicated by being underlined.

GRADUATE EDUCATION POSITION STATEMENT

Revision - Spring 1992

Introduction

Special librarians must meet a set of professional demands requiring competencies and skills that are not required in other library settings. The Special Libraries Association agrees that the competencies, skills, and attitudes derived from an accredited M.L.S. program are important in any information environment. However, SLA is concerned that many library schools' curricula do not offer the type or the range of educational experiences necessary to prepare students for careers in special librarianship.

A brief analysis of each component of the Professional Development Program provides enlightening information:

• Annual Conference

The Annual Conference and Professional Development Programs were ranked numbers l and 2 of current and proposed services in the 1991