Library Directors' Perceptions of the Desirable LIS Education for Library Service to Schoolchildren

Abstract

This study identified the professional knowledge and skills deemed necessary for the education and training of library and information science (LIS) specialists who provide services to school students, both in school and public libraries. Fifty-six directors of public and high school libraries in central Israel were surveyed by mail. The respondents stressed information technology (IT) skills and familiarity with information sources. Most of the directors held that general courses such as organization of information and library management as well as library services for children should be required of all LIS students during their basic education. However, there were important differences between the directors of school and public libraries in a number of areas.