Proposes the utilization of catalogers and other professional staff, rather than nonprofessionals, to augment reference librarian staffing. Shrinking reference staffs and lengthening service hours have created personnel shortages at the reference desk. Arguments for and against the proposal are examined. (RAA)

Discusses job satisfaction in classified support staff (primarily clerical and secretarial) of colleges and universities. Notes that these staff are frequently the first representatives of the institution encountered by prospective students, parents, and others. Finds that rewards and recognition, opportunities for feedback, and help with…

A subordinate evaluation instrument was used to identify factors that employees of Dayton-Montgomery County (OH) Public Library value in their supervisors. Results suggest that subordinates place considerable value on supervisors as role models and expect supervisors to treat them with respect and to encourage their opinions. Implications of these…

This introductory chapter to this theme issue on job satisfaction among faculty and staff first reviews the faculty satisfaction literature and then discusses a conceptual model of faculty job satisfaction based on six life event "triggers" and three mediators of job satisfaction. Reviews how each trigger affects college professors and offers data…

Discusses the threat posed to administrators by noncertified collective bargaining. Suggests that the noncertified employees feel a strong bond with the trade unionists from the private sector and little sense of kinship with school administrators. Cites several reasons why the unions are working to change the laws governing noncertified workers.…

Examines the neglect of library support staff within the context of six areas of library management: physical facilities; effective and efficient work stations; supplies; attitude toward human resources; communication and information; and performance evaluation and feedback. Graphs present data on expenditures in several areas, and suggestions for…

Discusses the concept of professionalism for librarianship, questioning the position of library associations on credentials as well as the validity of the graduate degree in library science with regard to the individual librarian and public service. (CWM)

Argues that student employees need improved on-the-job training and more staff development opportunities. Describes the structured student employee training program at St. Louis Community College (SLCC) at Meramec, Missouri. Underscores the importance of employer support for the program and reviews results of the SLCC project. (DMM)

The history of nonacademic staff in Western European and U.S. colleges is traced, and employment patterns at one major research university since 1924 are examined, since nonacademic personnel management is one concern of institutional researchers. Nonacademic staff are categorized as follows: professional nonfaculty, clerical/secretarial,…

Examines the role of nonprofessional staff in information science and the need for education and training of such personnel. The discussion covers available types and methods of education and training and the roles of various agencies and organizations. Subjects outside of the information field which nonprofessional staff may need to study are…

Discusses the role, status, and compensation of nonprofessional library staff (e.g., clerks and technicians); role, authority, status, and compensation of non-librarian professionals appointed as directors or supervisors; and the relationship of professional librarians to other professionals on the library or information-center staff. Delineates…

In partial replication of a 1989 Ohio study, job satisfaction questionnaires were distributed in 1994 to support staff in 13 Michigan state academic libraries. Results indicated that, although staff are satisfied with supervision, coworkers, and benefits, there is dissatisfaction with opportunities for promotion, pay, and contingent rewards. These…

Examines professional and nonprofessional service providers to the homeless and their influence on local policymaking. Because professionals must supply precise information to government funding programs, they are more influential in interpreting homelessness to the public, yet promote a false sense of control over the situation by reducing the…

Based on a sample of 12 representative school boards in Ontario, a normative method of analysis was utilized in addressing the major concerns of the study: the appropriate number of noncertified staff for a given school board, future demand for and supply of noncertified staff, and the resultant implications of such information. The study…

Libraries are moving to an environment where information resources are located worldwide and can be accessed from remote locations. Librarians need to free themselves from the constraints of the reference desk. Implementing a hierarchical model with a mix of librarian and nonlibrarian staffing can improve user services. (JMV)