Foundations of Academic Librarianship

The bases of academic library service are twofold: the role of any academic library service is to facilitate access to documents, and the mission of each academic library service is to support the mission of the academic institution it serves. These two bases need to be interpreted for each situation in order to provide meaningful foundations for service. Consideration of the foundations of academic librarianship requires (1) distinguishing of ends from means, (2) examination of values (what good does it do?) as well as capabilities (how good is it?), and (3) description of the nature of these concerns (i.e., theory). After a century of relative stability, a new period of change has started. Library resources in electronic form indicate radical changes in the means of library service. Computer-based information processing of library materials by users adds a new dimension to library service and to the role of librarians.