The Face of 21st Century Physical Science Librarianship

Abstract

ABSTRACT Physical science librarians from the U.S. and Canada participated in a survey about their educational background, experience, and professional activity. This group of information professionals can be characterized as having an extensive academic background in the sciences, as being highly experienced, and as professionally active. The large proportion of practitioners who have more than eleven years of experience in the field could signal the impending retirement of large numbers of physical science librarians in the near future. This survey of physical science librarians in the early part of the 21st century suggests that for physical science librarianship to continue to evolve and flourish, it is critical that the profession encourage research and scholarship, in addition to service, among our newest recruits and experienced colleagues. Key Words: Science librarianshipeducation of science librarians