Leadership Education at Library and Information Studies (LIS) Schools

Palomino, Norma Leadership Education at Library and Information Studies (LIS) Schools., 2003 (Unpublished) [Preprint]

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English abstract

Librarians’ leadership skills can be trained at Library and Information Science (LIS) schools, but before that it is essential to critically review the traditional trends in the curricula. One of the most important obstacles in developing library leaders is related to the bias encompassed by the educational tradition established in the United States of America by Melvil Dewey’s school, more than one hundred of years ago, and broadly spread worldwide. This paper analyzes the historical thread of the major learning goals of Dewey’s pioneer curricula, and its influence on Latin America education for librarianship. The concepts of “character”, “expertise”, “institution”, and “authority” are analyzed. Additionally, two approaches to modify the curricula are offered. The first constitutes a theoretical proposal drew by authors Totten and Keys (1994) based on training students to deal with risk-taking and innovation. The second is an actual modification made to the curriculum at the Department of Information Studies at Sheffield University, in England, explained by author Levy (1992). Finally, the conclusion critically summarizes both proposals and encourages more researches in the future.

Spanish abstract

Las habilidades de los bibliotecarios en materia de liderazgo se pueden entrenar en las escuelas de Bibliotecología y Ciencias de la Información, pero antes es esencial repasar críticamente las tendencias tradicionales de los planes de estudios. Uno de los obstáculos más importantes para el desarrollo de líderes bibliotecarios se relaciona con el sesgo de la tradición educativa establecida en los Estados Unidos de América por la escuela de Melvil Dewey, hace más de cien años, y ampliamente extendida por todo el mundo. El presente trabajo analiza el entramado histórico de las principales metas de la curricula pionera de Dewey, y su influencia en la educación bibliotecológica de América latina. Analiza los conceptos de "carácter", "maestría", "institución", y "autoridad". Además, propone dos enfoques para modificar los planes de estudios. El primero constituye una propuesa teórica diseñada por los autores Totten y Keys (1994) basados en el entrenamiento de estudiantes para lidiar con la toma de decisiones de riesgo e innovación. El segundo es la modificación del plan de estudios en el Department of Information Studies at Sheffield University, en Inglaterra, explicada por el autor Levy (1992). Finalmente, la conclusión resume críticamente ambas propuestas y alienta futuras investigaciones.

Item type: Preprint
Keywords: Melvil Dewey, Leadership, Librarianship and Information Science Education, LIS Education, Liderazgo, Enseñanza de la Bibliotecología y Ciencias de la Información
Subjects: G. Industry, profession and education. > GG. Curricula aspects.
F. Management. > FZ. None of these, but in this section.
Depositing user: Norma Palomino
Date deposited: 17 May 2007
Last modified: 02 Oct 2014 12:07
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/9545

References

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