Information technology (IT) encompassing an integrated library system, computer hardware and software, CD-ROM, Internet, and other domains, including MARC 21 formats, CORC, and metadata standards (Dublin Core, TEI, XML, RDF) has produced far-reaching changes in the job functions of catalogers. Libraries are now coming up with a new set of recruiting requirements for these positions. This paper aims to review job advertisements published in American Libraries (AL) and College and Research Libraries News (C&RL NEWS) to assess the impact of the use of IT in libraries on job requirements and qualifications for catalogers. ********** Three major developments in library automation and IT have brought sweeping changes in cataloging during the last four decades. The first was the development of the MARC format by the Library of Congress (LC) in the early 1960s. It formed the basis of library automation systems and led to the creation of bibliographic utilities in the 1970s, the use of which not only freed catalogers from clerical aspects of their duties, but also increased cataloging productivity. Professional catalogers were then able to concentrate on original cataloging and even took up difficult materials, such as theses and dissertations, technical reports, and nonbook materials, which they were unable to catalog before. The effect of bibliographic utilities on cataloging became evident in job advertisements in which experience with utility was either required or desired. Phrases like "experience with OCLC operations" and "familiarity with RLIN or similar systems" are listed as qualifications for catalogers and managers alike, revealing the impact of the new technology on practice and workflow from top to bottom. (1) The second important development, which took place in the early to mid 1980s was the introduction of microcomputer and optical disc technologies. Bibliographic utilities and vendors of MARC records started distributing records on CD-ROM, thus allowing even smaller libraries, which cannot afford expensive online access to OCLC and other utilities, to install CD-ROM-based bibliographic databases on local area networks for copy cataloging. The success of these CD-ROM databases encouraged the LC and other agencies responsible for developing and distributing various cataloging tools to issue them on CD-ROM. Catalogers found CDMARC (discontinued in 1997), CatCD, Classification Plus, Dewey for Windows, Cataloger's Desktop, and others easier to store and more up-to-date than the print version. However, to install and use these products effectively required catalogers to have knowledge of such topics as computing, desktop applications, and network-based tools. The job advertisements, therefore, required computer skills for catalog librarians, including knowledge of PC-based applications and bibliographic utilities as well as CD-ROM experience. The emergence of Internet technologies in the 1990s, markup languages, and non-MARC standards are the third group of developments that have impacted cataloging jobs. As a result, some cataloging positions now require proficiency with computer applications (Internet, integrated library system [ILS], e-mail, and PC software packages), knowledge of markup languages (HTML, SGML, and XML), and experience or familiarity with emerging metadata schemes and tools (Dublin Core, CORC, EAD, TEI, RDF). This paper aims to trace the impact of all these developments in library automation and IT on position titles, degree requirements, and required skills of catalogers by analyzing job advertisements published in C&RL News and AL over a two-year period (2000 and 2001). * Literature Review Several articles have appeared during the last ten years or more discussing the changing and evolving roles of catalogers and the impact of automation on job requirements and qualifications for catalogers. Furuta's study revealed that bibliographic utilities in the 1970s produced far-reaching changes in cataloging departments by allowing the bulk of the material to be processed more quickly and cost effectively by nonprofessionals. …

The Impact of Information Technology on Job Requirements and Qualifications for Catalogers.

Over the past fifteen years, analyses of employment advertisements have generated data on employment conditions and skill requirements for job seekers in the library and information sector. This paper analyses library and information job advertisements in the two most comprehensive appointment sections in Irish national daily newspapers over 1999 and demonstrates that a small but steady number of positions are advertised in both organs. Skill requirements vary, but experience in communications, management and information technology is essential for advancement and a professional qualification in library and information studies is essential. Most positions advertised were for work in academic and public libraries, mainly in locations on the east coast of Ireland (especially Dublin).

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A review of library and information service job advertisements: what do they tell us about work in the Irish library sector?

Research findings on the recruitment market for library and information service (LIS) workers are discussed in the context of management development. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the results uncovered implications for organisations and individuals seeking to develop management and leadership capabilities amongst managers of library and information services. Recruitment advertising seems to solicit applications for management positions on the grounds of evidence of professional development rather than evidence of management development. The implications of professional and management cultures for library management and leadership development are discussed. Further research questions on management development in a library setting are proposed.

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LIS labour market research: implications for management development

SUMMARY Findings of an investigation into cataloguing vacancies advertised over a twelve month period (March 1995 to February 1996) in the US and the UK are presented and discussed. The study was undertaken to investigate current trends in cataloguing employment, providing empirical input to the debate over the present status and the future of cataloguing in both countries. Supplementary data was derived from questionnaires circulated during the same period to UK employment agencies and practising UK cataloguers. Wider inferences and conclusions are drawn in a final discussion, suggesting that there is no evidence to indicate a collapse of demand for cataloguing skills by libraries and related organisations. However, there is evidence of a decline in demand in the US since the late 1980s, and a significant shift towards temporary work in the UK.

Nice Work If You Can Get It? A Study of Patterns and Trends in Cataloguing Employment in the USA and the UK in the Mid-1990s

Objective

This study proposed to define the role and duties of librarians who provide health information service in public and medical libraries. Appropriate education, career experience and starting salary for this position are also presented.



Method

This study analysed previous research and job advertisements to understand the current needs for this position. Almost all job advertisements studied were eventually retrieved from Salary.com (US job posting site). Public libraries seeking to fill health informationist positions were even more difficult to find in any of the above locations. Therefore, the researcher attempted to find cases using various search engines, including Google, and noticed that public libraries usually post job advertisements on their website. Finally, 32 job postings were selected as suitable. Fifty-four public and medical librarians were surveyed to validate the results in Korea.



Results

Public librarians chose ‘health information librarian' as the most appropriate title for this position, while medical librarians answered ‘medical librarian'. Therefore, librarians providing health information service in public libraries should be called ‘health information librarians’, while the position in medical libraries should be called ‘medical librarian'. Accordingly, job postings and academic articles will be easily accessible. Both groups marked that the position should require a bachelor's degree in both LIS and a health science field, 2 years library experience and health-related user training. Other requirements included knowledge of health resources and medical terminology, search capabilities and a focus on user-centric service. For required duties, public librarians chose accessing information resources, while medical librarians selected collection management.



Conclusion

Health information librarians will play a vital role in the future and must therefore be educated accordingly.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/hir.12122

Joseph W. Palmer

Papers

Job Advertisements and Cataloging Skills