Volume 20, Issue 2

Using data from the 2003 US National Survey of College Graduates, a longitudinal survey administered by the US Bureau of Census for the National Science Foundation, this study examines earnings in the library and information science labor market and assesses the impact of gender and race on the earnings attainment process. This cross-sectional dataset is used to determine if there are significant differences in income among library and information science professionals with respect to gender and race. The approach taken in this study is to build a theoretical model of earnings attainment for librarians and information scientists. This is followed by a discussion of the methodology used to analyze the data and test the model, and the results, discussion including recommendations for further research, and conclusions.

Large complex information systems require constant attention to, and improvement in, satisfying user needs when users cannot find required information. It concerns system developers how they can produce such systems and find ways to overcome hindrances to information finding. This paper discusses the concept of the hindrance based on Dervin’s (1983) Sense-Making methodology. An appraisal of past research demonstrates the shift library and information systems research has had from a system to user centred focus. An explanation of Dervin’s methodology is then presented, in particular her information seeking concept of situation–gap–uses. This concept demonstrates how a user negotiates an information space, such as a library catalogue, to make sense of their information situation and either complete it successfully or move to another way of finding information. Some examples of Dervin’s methodology are used as this author’s previous research work illustrates how hindrances can inform designers of ways of improving systems or learning from mistakes in creating new systems.

This paper, which will be published in two parts, explores the physicality of archival materials in the context of the digital age. This first part reviews key lessons in the history of new technologies that have affected archival practice. The issues and problems we now face with conversion of physical archives to digital form are not entirely new. Throughout time, humans have gone through similar major transformations which affected not only culture and behavior but cognition in relation to information acquisition—the conversion from oral transmission to written or from locally available written media to mass-produced forms of communication are examples. This article provides a brief review of these historical processes and gives an overview of some of the lessons we can learn from them. Part Two (which will be published in the March 2011 issue of LIBRES) will explore a holistic understanding of paper-based knowledge transmission—specifically archives—in the context of the digital access movement.