Oooo! Looks like I've missed an important discussion.
     I wanted to reply to several of the comments that I have seen on this
discussion so far. First off, one has to make an important distinction between
public libraries and academic libraries. Public libraries are supported by tax
dollars from their communities. Both academic and public libraries are subject
to budget cuts and bond issues, and are currently struggling with both.
   I do have an MLS, and, contrary to what Nan Lawler says, library school
does not just teach how to handle books in a library. Most reference librarian
positions require a second M.A. or subject speciality (mine is in
Anthropology). I have been a reference librarian here at ASU for six years,
but I cannot tell you the significance of the item that Nan mentioned in
Special Collections. To each their own specialty.
   In order to get my MLS, I had to pass comps in five of six areas, ranging
from cataloging, management, history of libraries, computers, and reference.
   As a reference librarian, I am well suited to tell you how and where to
find your information, but not necessarily the answer to your question.
  I am sorry that this is a long post, but Nan's comments pushed me off the
edge. While librarianship cannot (IMHO) be regarded as a science, librarians
(or information specialists, or my personal favorite, knowledge engineers) for
the most part have been trained to help people find the information they are
seeking.
 
Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ  85287-1006
PHONE: (602) 965-4579              FAX: (602) 965-9169
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