Mark D. Winston

Academic science and engineering librarians: A research study of demographics, educational backgrounds, and professional activities

Abstract This article presents the results of a research study of the population of academic science and engineering librarians whose job it is to provide information and research assistance in science and engineering related subject areas and to develop library collections to support research and teaching in those disciplines in colleges and universities. While librarians in these specialties play a major role in instructing those who conduct research and in developing the collections needed in order to complete this research in disciplines that offer particular challenges with regard to the demands of the researchers and the nature of the scholarly record in the disciplines, very little is known about the librarians who fulfill this crucial role. The results of this national study address an important segment of the academic library population, with a particular focus on educational and professional backgrounds, demographic characteristics, and professional and scholarly activities.

Leadership competencies and the importance of research methods and statistical analysis in decision making and research and publication: A study of citation patterns

The roles of academic librarians and administrators include the use of statistical analysis and general analytical abilities in their decision-making processes, as well as in their roles as researchers, in developing research collections, and in providing instruction and reference assistance for students and other researchers. The research presented in this article addresses the original research published in frequently cited library and information science (LIS) journals to consider the extent to which academic librarians and administrators conduct and publish original research and to evaluate the range of research methodologies used and the level of collaboration among academic librarians, LIS faculty members, and others. The research results extend the prior self-report research in this area and indicate that academic librarians, administrators, and LIS faculty are authors of most of the published research in highly ranked journals. The level of collaboration among those in different types of roles is limited, however. In addition, most of the research articles have been authored or coauthored by those in research university libraries.

Recruitment Theory: Identification of Those Who Are Likely To Be Successful as Leaders.

Abstract The theoretical basis for leadership in organizations includes the consideration of many factors, including the qualities of successful leaders, the development of those qualities, and the relationship between effective leadership and organizational success. Another aspect of leadership theory is the study of the relative importance of factors associated with the identification of individuals who are likely to be successful as leaders and to contribute to organizational success. The development of this theoretical discussion is based on the results of a number of relevant research studies, including those involving segments of the information professions for which recruitment is particularly challenging. The research, thus, indicates the importance of factors that can form the basis for effective recruitment strategies in the profession, as well as in various professional specialities.

Ethical leadership: professional challenges and the role of LIS education

Purpose – This article seeks to address the need for ethical and informed leadership in professions in general and library and information science in particular, and the challenges of professional education in library and information science in providing a theoretical basis for professional work that incorporates an understanding of ethical principles.Design/methodology/approach – The article provides an overview and analysis of ethical leadership issues in a range of international, organizational and individual circumstances. While the private and public sectors provide a frame of reference for considering library and information science education, the nature of the professional values in library and information services is also presented. In addition, the research related to limitations in ethical decision‐making ability among individuals is presented, in highlighting the need for educational approaches that support conscious consideration of biases and application of ethical principles.Findings – There...

Leadership competencies in library and information science: Marketing as a component of LIS curricula

Leadership competencies are an important component of the research literature and organizational study in the private sector. Leadership competencies serve to define the nature of effective leadership, the leadership qualities and areas of knowledge needed by those who contribute to organizational success, and help to define the types of educational preparation needed by leaders. The organizational, societal, and competitive changes affecting library and information service organizations emphasize the need for effective leadership and the identification of leadership competencies in the profession. This article proposes the articulation of an important component of such a statement of leadership competencies, that of marketing as a leadership competency in library and information science, for professionals who play a key role in ensuring value and relevance for their employing organizations. The research presented here identifies a rationale for such a statement and addresses the extent to which library and information science (LIS) education provides the type of educational preparation needed by leaders in the area of marketing.

Library leadership in times of crisis and change

Purpose – This paper addresses the coverage of issues related to crisis and societal change in the scholarly literature in relation to libraries, information services, and access to information and the leadership role of librarians and libraries in addressing such issues.Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an overview and analysis of the general issue of change in the literature review, as well as a discussion of war and terrorism, civil and natural disasters, social movements, medical and healthcare crises and needs, and large‐scale economic and technological shifts. The research results address the extent to which these major economic, political, technological and social changes have been addressed in four quarterly, peer‐reviewed library and information science journals over the past six years and the extent to which the focus of the published research and discussion has shifted over the past six years.Findings – Research based on analysis of the journal literature reflects the documentati...

Communication and Teaching: Education about Diversity in the LIS Classroom.

Summary Recent research findings have documented the relationship between fostering diversity in organizations and overall organizational success. From the perspective of the library administrator, it is incumbent upon those in library and information science education to provide instruction and an academic environment, which facilitates learning about diversity among those who will be expected to contribute to the success of their employing organizations. However, there are difficulties associated with communication and instruction about issues such as diversity, race and gender. The scholarship associated with communication theory provides a worthwhile basis for understanding the nature of these difficulties and for identifying factors to consider in enhancing that instruction in better preparing graduates.

The US urban university library: supporting research related to crime

Purpose – The academic library mission is defined based on the need to support the larger parent university mission. In the case of the urban university, which has been the focus of relatively little discussion and research in the library and information science literature, the research component of the mission potentially influences research agendas as well as the decisions of faculty who choose to teach and do research in such a setting, with a particular focus on “applied scholarship” or research that is community‐focused, considering social problems. Of the urban issues that have shaped the urban university mission, crime is also a key determinant of the resilience of urban areas. The breadth and depth of the research issues related to crime have been well‐documented. The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the research findings, indicating the complexity of the research and findings, as well.Design/methodology/approach – The research related to crime ranges from the basic documentation...