An analysis reported in 1974 of 660 library science and library science related dissertations completed between 1925 and 1972 showed that, although the absolute number of dissertations in librarianship written by women had increased steadily, the proportion of dissertations written by women had remained relatively unchanged at an average rate of 31.1% in any given year. Annual increases and decreases in the number of dissertations by women were statistically nonsignificant.                           (Source)

         Ibid…. showed thatthere was no statistically significant relationship between sex and type of degree received, between sex and research method chosen, or between sex and whether the dissertation was completed.                    (Source)

         Ibid…. showed thatfor 435 doctoral recipients who received their degrees between 1953-72 there was a statistically significant relationship between sex and current type of position held (significant at the .001 level). Specifically, a higher proportion of males (29.3%) than females (14.3%) tended to work in academic libraries, while a higher proportion of females (65.7%) than males (58.1%) tended to join library school faculties. 3.8% of the females vs. 1.4% of the males worked in public libraries, 6.7% of the females vs. 0.5% of the males worked in school libraries, and 1.9% of the females vs. 2.7% of the males worked in special libraries. 7.6% of the females and 8.0% of the males worked in “other” positions.                         (Source)

         Ibid…. showed thatfor 435 doctoral recipients who received their degrees between 1953-72 there was no statistically significant relationship between sex and mobility. Specifically, comparing location of job to location of school, 17.0% of the females and 9.5% of the males were in the same state, 27.4% of the females and 31.8% of the males were in contiguous states, while 55.6% of the females and 58.7% of the males were “geographically removed”.                   (Source)

A study reported in 1983 of data gathered by the Office for Library Personnel Resources on master’s- and doctoral-level degree recipients from ALA-accredited programs during the period 1973-74 through 1980-81 showed thatduring the 8-year period 436 doctoral degrees were awarded, of which 213 (48.85%) went to females and 223 (51.15%) went to males. Since 1978-79 more females than males received doctoral degrees each year (29 females vs. 27 males in 1978-79; 32 females vs. 14 males in 1979-80; and 31 females vs. 23 males in 1980-81). The distribution of doctoral degrees by ethnic group for this 8-year period was as follows:

                white females received 168 (38.53%) and white males received 188 (43.12%) of the total doctotal degrees awarded in the 8-year period;

                black females received 20 (4.59%) and black males received 13 (2.98%) of the total doctoral degrees awarded in the 8-year period;

                Asian/Pacific Islander females received 16 (3.67%) and Asian/Pacific Islander males received 8 (1.83%) of the total doctoral degrees awarded in the 8-year period;

                Hispanic females received 5 (1.15%) and Hispanic males received 4 (.92%) of the total doctoral degrees awarded in the 8-year period;

                American Indian/Alaskan native females received 2 (.46%) and AI/AN males received 2 (.46%) of the total doctoral degrees awarded in the 8-year period.                 (Source)

        Ibid…. showed thatduring the 8 years of the study 80 (18.35%) of the doctoral degrees were awarded to minorities, compared to 9.50% of the M.L.S. degrees awarded to minorities in the same time period.                    (Source)

Dr. David Kohl

 "Libraries in the digital age are experiencing the most profound transformation since ancient Mesopotamian scribes first began gathering and organizing cuneiform tablets."

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