Page 168 - Training for librarianship; library work as a career

TRAINING FOR LIBRARIANSHIP

science or sciences with which his work brings
him in contact, and an intimate familiarity
with its literature. A soimd general educa-
tion is equally essential. Technical librarians
who have been approached for an opinion are
all agreed that the man or woman looking
forward to a successful career in the work
should have at least a college education or its
equivalent. Specializing in the sciences, with
some laboratory work, is also advised.
The technical librarian must also possess
what is referred to by one as " the analyzing
knack: That is to say, the ability to dig up
all the factors involved in the special problem
in hand, to separate the essential from the
non-essential and to present in the last degree
of condensation all the facts pertinent
thereto." The preparation of such reports is
in itself a part of research. To prepare them
the librarian must know intimately every
activity of the organization of which the
library is a part, and the work on which
various departments and persons are en-
gaged. In addition, a sense of discrimination
regarding the important and useful infor-
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