College and Research Libraries


Academic Librarianship Past, Present, 
and Future: A Festschrift in Honor of 
David Kaser. Ed. by John Richardson, 
Jr., and Jinnie Y. Davis. Englewood, 
Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1989. 
176p. $32.50 U.S.; $39 elsewhere (ISBN 
0-87287-669-1). LC 89-12143. 
This volume of nine essays is a well­

executed tribute to David Kaser, Distin­
guished Professor at Indiana University's 
School of Library and Information Sci­
ence, in honor of his sixty-fifth birthday 
and in celebration of ''a life of distinction 
in scholarship, education, and human­
ity. II 

This series of thoughtful and thought­
provoking essays by distinguished col­
leagues and former students, includes 
such luminaries as Warren J. Haas, Fred­
erick G. Kilgour, and James Mullins. The 
aim is to present various viewpoints on 
the past, present, and future of academic 
librarianship and draw our attention to 
themes that have been central to the career 
and contributions of Dr. Kaser. These in­
clude the challenges faced in library edu­
cation, library building and space plan­
ning, professional history, modern 
management principles, and library tech­
nology. 

Warren Haas, president of the Council 
on Library Resources, presents a historical 
review of CLR activities in the form of a 
personal reflection that focuses on the 
Council's emphasis on specialized train­
ing, professional education, and research 
librarianship. Haas wisely points out that, 
"while CLR history is not, per se, the his­
tory of libraries, it is one source for such a 
history.'' Although the essay announces 
its historical perspective, it is included in 
Part I, ''The Future of Academic Librarian­
ship,'' because of its speculation on ''how 
to proceed,'' given the recognition of cer­
tain primary shortcomings in the profes­
sion, particularly with regard to profes­
sional education. ''Recognizing that CLR 
can at best only stimulate other organiza­
tions and individuals . . . the Council is 
concentrating on three questions that may 
help point the way to future constructive 
action'': how information studies can be­
come accepted as ''a discrete and signifi­
cant academic discipline"; whether "the 

Recent Publications 573 

content, methods, and relative balance" 
of components within professional educa­
tion need to be revised or adjusted; and 
''how can our present leaders in libraries 
and professional schools enlist the assis­
tance from other disciplines" in support 
of our goals? 

Philip D. Leighton and David C. Weber 
of Stanford University have contributed a 
particularly timely essay on "The Influ­
ence of Computer Technology on Aca­
demic Library Building,'' with a valuable 
'projection regarding issues and concerns 
for the 1990s, particularly "improved 
space and environmental conditions for 
workstations,'' and ''significant changes 
. . . in the configuration and operation of 
reading areas, the reference area [and] ser­
vice points in general" as "traditional 
functions" are "supplemented by the 
computer." The notion of "smart build­
ings" with electronically advanced design 
is emerging and "may be a strong influ­
ence over library building planning.'' 
Clearly an article close to one of Dr. Ka­
ser's areas of expertise, this piece should 
be required reading for students and ad­
ministrators alike. It will be of value to 
anyone researching the topic of site prepa­
ration, or the impact of automated sys­
tems on the library environment. 

The piece contributed by Frederick Kil­
gour, former president of OCLC and pio­
neer of information technology, proves 
beyond question that his pioneer spirit 
has not left him. Kilgour is currently de­
voting his attention to "the next stage of 
technological development: computer- . 
ized book texts.'' His essay offers an over­
view of the Electronic Information Deliv­
ery Online System (EIDOS), "an 
interactive, online method for retrieving 
information for written books that are in 
digital form.'' One senses this will be an 
essay of lasting value. 

Part II offers two papers on ''The 
Present Situation of Academic Librarian­
ship." William Crowe pays tribute to 
Verner Clapp for his role in fostering our 
present awareness of the need for preser­
vation of library materials, and James Mul­
lins provides an international context for a 
discussion on faculty status. Although we 
have been grappling with the issue of sta­



574 College & Research Libraries 

tus and recognition within the academic 
community for some twenty-five years in 
this country, and continue to wage indi­
vidual battles on campuses across the na­
tion, it appears our colleagues in the 
United Kingdom are at least a step behind 
us in establishing uniform standards. 
However, it is not difficult to predict that 
the growing implementation of auto­
mated systems, and attendant responsi­
bilities that result, will force the issue of 
professional recognition to the surface of 
discussion in that country as well. 

Two essays comprise Part III, "A Histor­
ical Examination of Academic Librarian­
ship.'' Charles Hale offers a history of 
"The College Library Section, 1889-1923: 
Predecessor to the Association of College 
and Research Libraries," and Larry Har­
desty and John Mark Tucker present a ret­
rospective view of ''library use instruc­
tion.'' The latter paper describes a cyclical 
pattern of popularity for instructional ser­
vices over the past hundred years, and 
suggests hopefully that we ''could be en­
t€ring a 'golden period.' '' The popularity 
of library instruction has been influenced 
by ''the surrounding environment _of 
higher education," the energies of "far­
sighted individuals, such as Justin Win­
sor," or negatively by lack of initiative and · 
the "inability of individuals to capitalize" 

November 1990 

on previous advances. Interestingly 
enough, both "the 1930s and 1970s, times 
of economic scarcity in higher education, 
were characterized by innovation and 
progress in user education.'' It seems that 
dedicated people have made and will con­
tinue to make the difference. The authors 
ask us to consider the education of users 
among the priorities that compete for the 
attention and energy of academic librari­
ans. 

The final section will be appreciated by 
those who have worked closely with 
David Kaser as students or colleagues, 
and by others who have been touched by 
his career. Margaret C. Fung offers an ad­
miring appraisal of Dr. Kaser's eff.orts and 
accomplishments at the international 
level, particularly his influence on Sino­
American librarianship, which extends 
over two decades. Joanne E. Passet con­
cludes with a biographical sketch of "the 
senior library historian of his generation 
and one of the most prominent academic 
librarians of his time," whose "positive 
outlook on life has encouraged, moti­
vated, and energized" countless individ­
uals. These valuable pieces surround a 
well-deserved tribute to a truly remark­
able individual.-Richard J. Kuhta, St. Law­
rence University, Canton, New York.