Ahistoricity and the Library Profession: Perceptions of Biographical Researchers in LIS Concerning Research Problems, Practices, and Barriers

The ALA Library History Roundtable recently adopted a resolution charging schools of library and information science (LIS) to strengthen historical components in all parts of LIS curricula and to encourage historical studies among faculty and graduate students. To many individuals, such a statement may seem irrelevant and demand some explanation. In order to clarify some of these issues, a survey was sent to 102 library biographers to identify the extent of their work in biography and to garner information regarding funding, sites visited in conducting research, and problems encountered. Although financial and collegial support are frequently lacking, biographers are more concerned with problems intrinsic to their research than with external problems. Funds are apparently available if the biographer is able to write a strong proposal to the appropriate agency. Negative comments indicate that historical research is not valued highly in LIS schools and that professional history may be virtually lacking in the curriculum.