The paper analyses the current threats and opportunities faced by the area of Library/ Information Science. It deals with questions related to its name, professional development programs and labor market opportunities. The disadvantages associated with the tradicional denomination of the profession, usually associated to libraries and books, are highlighted. Solutions adopted by schools and departments, especiallly in North America and Great Britain, are related. Market opportunities for information professionals with a wide range of habilities are stressed. The paper presents a model that depicts the processes of importation and exportation of knowledge among Library/ Information Science and other areas and defends the need for strategies aimed at the application of the traditional knowledge of the field in broader information contexts and environments.
Librarianship; Information science; Profesional education; New technologies
