Conclusion: The research findings presented in this paper came from an empirical study on

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1 Recruitment of Subject Specialist Candidates: A Study of Advanced Degree Holders in U.S. ALA-Accredited LIS Programs Ming-Hsin Phoebe Chiu Assistant Professor Graduate Institute of Library and Information Studies National Taiwan Normal University Introduction Many college libraries in Taiwan have begun to hire subject specialists in recent years. However, it is too early to evaluate this new practice in Taiwan. Therefore, this paper present the research findings of a study based in the U. S. on the recruitment of subject librarian for comparison and reference (Subject Specialists for Academic & Research Libraries: Research, Recruit and Education. In that research, the author of this paper was responsible for the research on librarian recruitment). Research has indicated that, in the U. S., retirement of experienced librarians, along with limited supply of new entrants with subject specialties to the profession, will result in severe shortage in subject specialists. It is against this background that the author sought to explore potential subject specialists' academic backgrounds, their career choices and career plans, and factors that lead them to choose librarianship as a career. Research design Questionnaire and in-depth interview were employed to survey students from 56 ALA-accredited LIS Programs in North America. Operational definitions of two key concepts were made to ensure good sampling: 1. a college or research library is one which is a member of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) and 2. a subject specialist candidate is one who meets the following criterions: a. He or she must be a current student in an ALA-Accredited Master's Programs. b. He or she is pursuing a degree in a non-lis subject area, or already has one. Questionnaires were distributed through Zoomerang, an online survey tool. A total of 322 students filled out the online questionnaire. The questionnaire is composed of three parts: 1. academic background, 2. career planning, 3. Factors leading them to choose librarianship as a profession. Thirty respondents were randomly selected from for in-depth reviews. The interviews were conducted in person or by phone, with each session lasting minutes. Research results and conclusion 1. Respondents academic background: most respondents were trained in humanities and arts (N=115, 35.7%), followed by social science (n=5015.5%) and regional studies (n=44, 13%). Only 9.9 percent of the respondents studied science or

2 technology. As to final academic degree, 264 (82.0%) respondents either had a master s degree or were studying for one; 58 (18.05) had a Ph D degree or were studying for one. 2. Career planning: more than half (54%) of the respondents began to view librarian as a career option when they were studying for a master s degree (or a higher degree) in a non-lis subject discipline or after they had obtained one. More than half (54%) of the respondents would like to work in a college or research library, followed by school library/media center (13%), public library (10%), archives (10%), and special library (10%). This result provides a reference for predicting the supply of subject librarians. 3. Factors leading respondents to choose librarianship as a profession: the respondents were asked to pick from the ten items on the questionnaire a primary factor and a secondary factor; the counts of primary and second factors were added together to be analyzed. The two most significant factors were Environment full of knowledge and learning opportunities (42%) and the essence of librarianship (39%). The interviews show that many respondents chose librarianship as a profession because of past working experience in a library. Therefore, it is important for libraries to offer internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities to those who are interested in librarianship. However, some respondents said they chose librarianship because they would like to work in an academic environment but did not want a teaching job. 4. Suggestions for recruiting subject librarians. a. Some respondents viewed LIS as an instrumental science. They sought to use their subject knowledge to serve others, and considered LIS skills helpful in this regard. Therefore, when recruiting subject librarians, libraries should look for those with a Master s or higher degree in subject area. In addition, LIS departments may design double major master s degree in LIS and another subject area so as to generate more future subject librarians. b. Recruiting strategies According to the survey of this research, librarianship is a desirable profession to those who have a subject master s degree and want to work in an academic environment. Although there are several discouraging factors, such as like low wage, social status, and professional status, some characteristics of working in the library (ex. an environment full of knowledge, Quality of work life) are attractive to subject librarian candidates. Conclusion: The research findings presented in this paper came from an empirical study on

3 the recruitment of subject librarians. And the analysis made in this study can be useful in making suggestions on recruiting subject librarians. Although college libraries in Taiwan hire subject librarians in an attempt to better serve their patrons, most of the subject librarians in Taiwan, unlike their American counterparts, are trained in LIS. Moreover, they are usually assigned to be responsible for a subject by the library director. It is no wonder, then, that subject librarians in Taiwan only have limited knowledge about the subject they are responsible for. And it should be pointed out that there is a significant difference between Taiwan and the U.S. in the LIS education. If libraries in Taiwan consider hiring those possessing both LIS training and solid subject knowledge, new recruiting strategies and new LIS education will be a necessity. It is suggested that future studies should focus more on the library practice and the LIS education to make these two aspects more closely connected in Taiwan. As mentioned above, most librarians (including subject librarians) are trained in LIS. So, it is important to modify the LIS education in Taiwan: to encourage LIS students to acquire subject knowledge, or provide continuing education for current librarians. Reference Ard, A.,Clemmons, S.,Morgan, N.(2006).Why library and information science? The results of a career survey of MLIS students along with implications for reference librarians and recruitment.reference & User Services Quarterly,450, Baily, C. W.(2005). The role of reference librarians in institutional repository. Reference Services Review, 33(3), Bergevin, P.,Winston, M. D.(1998).Meeting the mission: The role of business librarians in fulfilling the missions of colleges of business.journal of Business and Finance Librarianship,3, Berry, J. N.(2002).Addressing the recruitment and diversity crisis.american Libraries, 33(2),7. Berry, J. N.(2003).LIS recruiting does it make the grade?.library Journal,128(8), Buttlar, L. J.,William, C.(1992).Recruitment of librarians into the profession: The minority perspective. Survey of 164 minority librarians.library & Information Science Research,14(3), Cassner, M.,Adams, K. E.(2008).The subject specialist librarian's role in providing distance learning services.journal of Library Administration,48(3), Cassner, M.,Adams, K. E.(2008).The subject specialist librarian's role in providing distance learning services.journal of Library Administration,48(4),

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