Library education and training for sub-professionals in developing countries

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kularatne, E.D.T.^{; 1}

Affiliations: Department of Library Studies, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia

Note: [1] Amended version of a paper presented at the International Conference on Technology and Education in Library and Information Science, Dubrovnik, May 1984, the Proceedings of which have been edited by Ivan Mihel and Neva Tudor-Šilović and published in Informatologia Yugoslavica Separat Speciale 6 (1984) 59–64.

Abstract: The sub-professional occupies an important place in the library profession in developing countries. Many countries have established programmes for their education and training. Admission requirements, duration of courses and course content are discussed in this paper. More similarities can be seen in these programmes because they had first been based on European (mainly British) or American models. These programmes are not yet fully geared to local requirements. There are problems in teaching and also in the recruitment for jobs at paraprofessional level. Several suggestions have been made here to improve the teaching programmes and the career prospects of the sub-professional. [French, German, and Spanish translations of this abstract can be found at the end of this issue.]

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1985-3403

Journal: Education for Information, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 283-290, 1985