Annie DowneyStarr Hoff manU n i v e r s i t y o f N o r t h Te x a s

ASHE ConferenceNovember 2009

UNT EDHE 40 t h AnniversaryNovember 2010

THE VALUE OF THE DOCTORATE

FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS

Inquiry designed to: survey literature & current condition of academic

librarianship assess potential value of doctoral degree for:

academic librarians library deans

Focus on relevant benefits: improved job performance improved library outcomes

PURPOSE AND CONTEXT

Typical job requirement subject librarian / liaison / subject specialist

Debate: attaining subject skills MLS + on-the-job MLS + second master’s or PhD/EdD PhD/EdD instead of MLS

More debate: generalist vs. specialist (breadth vs. depth)

SUBJECT EXPERTISE

Acculturation MLS professional librarian EdD administrator / practitioner PhD researcher

Strengths & weaknesses of research skills librarians PhDs/EdDs

Faculty status of librarians research & publishing

RESEARCH SKILLS

Terminal degree for academic librarians “The master’s degree in library science… is the appropriate terminal

degree for academic librarians.” (ACRL*, 1975; reaffi rmed 2007)

ACRL/AAUP statement on faculty status: “Neither administrative responsibilities nor professional degrees, titles,

or skills, per se, qualify members of the academic community for faculty status. The function of the librarian as participant in the processes of teaching and research is the essential criterion of faculty status.”

(ACRL* & AAUP**, 1972; reaffi rmed 2007)

Asymmetrical disconnect between faculty & librarians “understanding of the process”

*ACRL: Associat ion of Col lege & Research L ibrar ies**AAUP: American Associat ion of Univers i ty Professors

INSIGHT INTO FACULTY & DOCTORAL LIFE

Doctoral degree necessary? librarian opinions college/university administrator opinions

Changing position descriptions additional advanced degrees scholarly abilities professional activities

DEAN REQUIREMENTS

Understanding of higher education how to get things done focus on institution the library serves trends in higher education respect of peers, administrators

DEAN REQUIREMENTS: INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT

Fundraising Grant writing Funding justification

Professional networks Collaborations & consortiums Wider, diverse group of colleagues

Personal preparedness

OTHER DEAN REQUIREMENTS

Requirements are escalating

PhD/EdD should not replace MLS

BUT provides additional skills, knowledge, values, & understanding

Credentials matter

Libraries are changing

CONCLUSIONS

Degrees held by deans

122 ARL* library deans Degrees (MLS, other masters, EdD, PhD, etc.) Degree fields, specializations

Expansion beyond ARL libraries

Degrees held by academic librarians

*ARL: Association of Research Libraries

FURTHER RESEARCH