Recruiting, Training, and Retention of Science and Technology Librarians

Since the 1950s there has been a persistent shortage of sci-tech librarians, and as more librarians retire or change positions, the prospect looms that the profession will only depopulate further. Tackling this difficult challenge, Recruiting, Training, and Retention of Science and Technology Librarians gathers together into one source the perspectives of top library administrators and managers as well as front-line librarians who present the latest research and practical strategies to find, train, and keep those valuable specialized professionals. This book explores in depth timely issues and presents creative perspectives and innovative solutions to this persistent problem in subject-specialized libraries.

As the baby-boom generation of science and technology librarians begins to retire, training and keeping sci-tech librarians will become even more crucial. Recruiting, Training, and Retention of Science and Technology Librarians discusses the “replacement gap” problem in libraries, including who should be recruited, how they should be trained, and how to retain them once hired. Several authors address the field’s long-standing specialist vs. generalist debate, bringing new data and experience-driven perspectives to this challenging issue.

Topics in Recruiting, Training, and Retention of Science and Technology Librarians include:

• updating the cultural image of librarians to make the profession more appealing
  
• a comprehensive literature review
  
• how to cultivate candidates who are dedicated to service and love research and learning
  
• practical approaches to improve the visibility and attractiveness of science librarianship
  
• the skills and support needed to become a successful science librarian
  
• an innovative program to recruit undergraduates
  
• an in-depth survey of practicing science and technology librarians
  
• the challenges of science librarianship in Africa
  
• library and information science educators as recruiters for sci-tech librarians
  
• creative strategies to recruit and retain librarians
  
• adapting aspects of first-year student retention programs as a model for library retention programs
  
• how professional competencies can be used for recruitment, training, and retention
  
• and more

Recruiting, Training, and Retention of Science and Technology Librarians is a timely, important resource for college and university administrators, and public, special, academic, and government librarians.

Patricia A. Kreitz, MA, MLS, is currently Director of Technical Information Services for the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, a national laboratory of the Department of Energy managed and operated by Stanford University. She is responsible for a diverse set of information management and delivery services including Web services and architecture, publications and media services, the Archives and History Office, and the library and HEP databases. She has written on scientific information management and is active in the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of ALA.

JoAnn DeVries, MLS, served as Associate Librarian and Reference Bibliographer at the Magrath Library on St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is now retired.