The Professional Self-Concept of LIS Bachelor of Arts Graduates: an Exploratory Investigation

Document Type : Research ŮŽ Article

Authors

1 M.A. Student in Library and Information Science; the University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science; the University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this research was to explore whether the observed tendency in Iran's libraries to work in the technical services section is a personal preference or not. This research has examined this through studying the professional self-concept of B.A. graduates of Library and Information Science.
Methodology/ Approach: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 B.A. students who were finishing their last semester. For analyzing the data, the techniques of continual comparison proposed in the Grounded Theory methodology were used in three levels of open, axial, and selective coding.
Findings: The self-concept of B.A. LIS graduates has three components, namely 'personal feeling', 'social status', and 'perception of the profession'. Participants have become more fond of librarianship as they progressed in their studies during the program. However, they normally complain of the lack of social recognition and the low social status of librarianship. While the students consider librarianship as a service profession, they see their core of expertise in different areas. Some consider technical services as their main skill and others find general and direct services to the user most important. In their viewpoint, research and management are other aspects of librarianship.
Conclusion: Participants in this research were interested in librarianship profession; however, they had concerns about its social status and recognition. They regard their field to be service oriented but prefer to work in specialized information and technical services.

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History

  • Receive Date: 31 August 2010
  • Revise Date: 03 May 2015
  • Accept Date: 13 September 2010

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