Impending Change in Library Education: Implications for Planning

Abstract

... a commitment to stagnation once made rapidly becomes irreversible. Laurence B. Heilprin1 THE ADMONITION above was directed to the American Society for Information Science as a guide for charting its future course. It applies equally well to library education. Heilprin noted that the prevention of stagnation requires forethought because the process of stagnation may not be perceptible in its beginning stages. As he put it, We may fade away comfortably for years. There is reason to believe that library education is at a turning point where to do nothing would be to choose the stagnation Heilprin warns against. This article considers that possibility. First, factors that mark the present as a turning point are considered. Second, a goal for library education is proposed along with some suggestions for proceeding toward the goal. Finally, a role for the Association of American Library Schools is set forth.