CHANGES IN THE STAFFING OF UK SPECIAL LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SERVICES IN THE DECADE 1972–81: A REVIEW OF THE DES CENSUS DATA

Abstract

The information presented in this paper is derived from a census conducted in March 1981, and published in 1983. Subjective observation of special libraries in the interim would suggest an overall retrenchment, particularly severe in smaller units. During the decade 1972–81, there appears to have been a net decrease in the number of special library and information service units, though probably a small growth overall in the number of staff in the special library sector, particularly those in qualified posts. Special librarians, as a group, tend to have less professional LIS qualifications than their counterparts in public and academic libraries, but are more likely to have a degree in another field. There has been a considerable growth in the number of staff with qualifications of all types in special libraries during the decade. Women constitute a majority of the staff in posts of all types in special libraries though less so than in academic and public libraries. Nevertheless, there has been a significant growth in the number and percentage of females occupying professional posts in special libraries during the decade, a trend which seems likely to continue, despite a much higher ‘wastage’ of females in the profession. Whereas female special librarians are more likely than males to have a formal LIS qualification, they are less likely to hold non‐LIS degrees. The bulk of ‘information science’ posts are in special libraries and the majority of these are in industry and commerce. Nearly 70% of all special library posts are in the south east of England—a situation that has not changed during the decade.

Citation

EAST, H. (1983), "CHANGES IN THE STAFFING OF UK SPECIAL LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SERVICES IN THE DECADE 1972–81: A REVIEW OF THE DES CENSUS DATA", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 39 No. 4, pp. 247-265. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb026751