X-Delivery-Notice:  SMTP MAIL FROM does not correspond to sender.
Approved-By:  Diane Kovacs <DKOVACS@KENTVM.KENT.EDU>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.libref-l
Date:         Sun, 15 Nov 1992 13:41:24 EDT
From:         Esther Grassian <ECZ5ESG%MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU@Kentvm.Kent.edu>
Subject:      More on BIS Task Force
Comments: To: libref-l@kentvm.kent.edu

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
This message has been cross-posted to BI-L.

On November 4th, I posted a message requesting input for the BIS Task
Force on Strategic Options for Professional Education.  Since I've only
received two replies, I thought I should elaborate on the Task Force
charge.

BI has been an ever increasing responsibility for academic reference
librarians (and others) since the early 1970's.  Over 90% of academic
reference positions now require BI, yet few library schools offer BI courses
for MLS students.  Formal BI continuing education programs are also not
widely available.  The annual LOEX program, for example, is eagerly
awaited and has a long waiting list each year.  So, many BI librarians make
do with whatever workshops and programs local or state groups put on in
their region.

BIS members have been aware of these problems for some time.  With the
establishment of this Task Force, BIS is attempting to come up with some
proactive approaches to these problems.  The BIS Executive Committee
has also asked the Task Force to look into the related problem of
encouraging employers to value BI education and continuing education.

Some of the possible alternatives suggested so far include:
    1. A voluntary certification program for BI librarians similar to
    the MLA Academy of Health Science Professionals certification
    program.  The MLA program requires a course at the MLS
    level as well as ongoing continuing education of various sorts.

    2. A series of traveling BI workshops based on the Learning to
    Teach modules which BIS will publish shortly (available around
    Midwinter).  These workshops could be independent, or could
    be linked to a certification program, such as the one briefly
    described above.

    3. Define and develop criteria for awarding the title of "Master BI
    Librarian".  Again, this could be independent or could be linked to
    a certification program such as the one described in #1 above.
    (See Anna M. Donnelly's December 10, 1991 LibRef-L message
    regarding the concept of "Master Librarian.")

    4. Develop a model library school BI course syllabus, with sample
    assignments, as well as a list of those who have taught BI courses in
    library schools, and  who are willing to teach again, perhaps in
    other locations.  (The BIS Education for BI Committee is completing
    work on this.)

    5. Investigate teacher education courses and programs for ideas.

These are some of the ideas we have gathered so far and will be discussing
at the Midwinter discussion forum during the BIS Advisory Council
meeting, Saturday, January 23d, from 11a.m. to 12:30p.m.  We would like
to hear your comments on any of the ideas listed above, or any other ideas
you would like to contribute.

Please send your comments and ideas to the list, or if you prefer, to me:
        Esther Grassian, Chair
        BIS Task Force on Strategic Options for Professional
           Education
        College Library Reference
        UCLA
        L.A., CA  90024-1450
        (310) 825-2138
        ECZ5ESG@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU

For your information the other Task Force members are:
    Elizabeth Frick
    Dalhousie University School of Library & Information Science
    Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Abigail Loomis
    University of Wisconsin, Madison

    Diane Zabel
    Pennsylvania State University

    Prudence Dalrymple (ALA staff consultant)
    ALA Office for Accreditation

We look forward to your responses.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU