The low number of faculty interested in area librarianship who have been recruited within the last five years, seems to correlate with the low number of courses in area librarianship. I had no idea what you were talking about until the middle of the second page. He is unusual. Study of specific areas is arranged on an individual basis. Typically students enroll in a practicum and in the Research or Special Studies course.
Some interest does exist, largely from area librarians in our area.
It is the area librarians themselves who most clearly recognize the need to educate professionals in area librarianship, and who responded most enthusiastically to the survey and to this conference. It is from them that library education will need to take its cues. Their cooperation and input are absolutely necessary in developing the proper format for recruiting and educating professionals in area librarianship.