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A review of professionalism within LIS

Paul Cannon (University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 14 March 2017

1884

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of professionalism within Library and Information Science (LIS) and in doing so draw comparisons with the education and medicine professions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a review of the extant literature from the three professions and gives a brief review of the theoretical constructs of professional knowledge using the work of Eisner and Eraut to explore knowledge types. It then relates these definitions to knowledge use within LIS, education and medicine, before examining the roles that professional associations have on the knowledge development of a profession. It concludes with a reflection on the future of professionalism within LIS.

Findings

The literature suggests a fragmented epistemological knowledge-base and threats to its practices from outside professions. It does, however, find opportunities to redefine its knowledge boundaries within the phronetic practices of LIS and in socio-cultural uses of knowledge. It finds strengths and weaknesses in professionalism within LIS and its practitioners.

Originality/value

This review provides a contemporary update to several earlier, related, works and provides useful context to current efforts to professionalise LIS by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This paper is based on an assignment undertaken as part the Professional Doctorate programme at the University of the West of Scotland. The author would like to thank the peer-review comments of Dr Stephen Day and Professor Ruth Deery in that assignment which helped to shape this paper.

Citation

Cannon, P. (2017), "A review of professionalism within LIS", Library Management, Vol. 38 No. 2/3, pp. 142-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-07-2016-0053

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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