1. Annie Downey Starr Hoffman University of North Texas ASHE Conference November 2009 UNT EDHE 40 th Anniversary November 2010 THE VALUE OF THE DOCTORATE FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS

2.  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

3.  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

4.  Acculturation  MLS professional librarian  EdDadministrator / practitioner  PhD researcher  Strengths & weaknesses of research skills  librarians  PhDs/EdDs  Faculty status of librarians  research & publishing RESEARCH SKILLS

5.  Terminal degree for academic librarians  “The master’s degree in library science… is the appropriate terminal degree for academic librarians.” (ACRL*, 1975; reaffirmed 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; reaffirmed 2007)  Asymmetrical disconnect between faculty & librarians  “understanding of the process” *ACRL: Association of College & Research Libraries **AAUP: American Association of University Professors INSIGHT INTO FACULTY & DOCTORAL LIFE

6.  Doctoral degree necessary?  librarian opinions  college/university administrator opinions  Changing position descriptions  additional advanced degrees  scholarly abilities  professional activities DEAN REQUIREMENTS

7.  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

8.  Fundraising  Grant writing  Funding justification  Professional networks  Collaborations & consortiums  Wider, diverse group of colleagues  Personal preparedness OTHER DEAN REQUIREMENTS

9.  Requirements are escalating  PhD/EdD should not replace MLS  BUT provides additional skills, knowledge, values, & understanding  Credentials matter  Libraries are changing CONCLUSIONS

10.  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