Education for Library and Information Service

The Australian context for library education is introduced by a review of the historical perspectives of education for the LIS sector in this country, moving from the apprenticeship model to that formal education. The chapter also explores the need for standards of professional education, achieved in Australia through the course recognition process undertaken by the professional association. As each educational institution submits an annual course return, an analysis of the data on the student cohort and the staffing situation is presented, framed by the changing environment of education in Australia. The predominant, recurrent issues are discussed: the scope of the curriculum, the perceived gulf between research and practice, and the need for career-long learning. The chapter concludes by reinforcing the idea that the future of effective and relevant LIS education is a matter for all people involved in the profession to work together to ensure that the profession does have a real future