This study analyzed the educational backgrounds of 104 academic library deans at Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions. It found that 35.6% had a Master's in Library Science only, while 38.5% had an MLS and a second master's degree. Only 24% had doctorates, with the majority in history or education. The study aimed to identify trends in degrees and explore how educational backgrounds relate to career paths and positions.

1. THE EDUCATIONAL
BACKGROUNDOF ACADEMIC
LIBRARY DEANS
Starr Hoffman
Annie Downey
University of North Texas
QQML, May 28, 2010
Chania, Crete, Greece

2. ABSTRACT
 This study uses quantitative methods to study the
degrees and majors of all 123 academic library deans
at Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
institutions.
 This study shows trends in hiring deans as well as
commonalities among those interested in
administrative library positions.

3. METHODOLOGY
 sample size = 104 ARL* library deans
 started with the 123 library deans currently listed in ARL
directory
 listwise deletion of cases for those missing specific data
 most of these were only missing a small amount of information, such as
the subjects of degrees or dates they were earned
 chose ARL deans because:
 well-defined group
 small size = easy to gather information on majority of deans
 may serve as a model for other libraries
* Association of Research Libraries

4. METHODOLOGY
 document analysis:
 library websites
 staff directories
 dean welcome pages
 dean bios
 university academic catalogs
 faculty directories
 faculty profiles
 CVs
 press releases
 library newsletters
 publications
 ARL minutes, news, etc.
 solicited any missing information by email

5. METHODOLOGY
 information gathered includes:
 presence or absence of a library science degree
 presence or absence of a doctoral degree
 other degrees earned
 length of time in current dean position (year hired)
 specific title of their position
 major subjects of study
 Carnegie classification of institution at which the
degrees were earned

6. THE DATA

7. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
 Are newer deans:
 more likely to possess a doctorate?
 more likely to possess an advanced degree in addition
to the masters in library science?
 What percentage of deans have a masters in
library science?
 Are deans with PhDs more or less likely to also
possess a masters in library science?
 How many deans’ PhDs are in library science?

8. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
 total ARL Deans / Directors
 56 male
 69 female
 current study includes 104
 45 male
 59 female
 71% hired for current position after 2000
 68% of doctorate holders were hired after 2000
 only 24% have doctoral degrees

9. DEANS AND DIRECTORS HIRE DATES
Year Hired for Current Position
7%
35% 22% 1980-89
1990-99
2000-05
2006-10
36%

10. MLS ONLY
 35.6% have MLS with
no additional
advanced degree
MLS only (by year of hire)
 72.9% of MLS-only
2.70%
holders were hired
since 2000
1980-89
24.30%
43.20% 1990-99
2000-05
2006-10
29.70%

11. ADVANCED DEGREES HELD
90.00%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00% w/o MLS 81.70%
40.00% w/ MLS
30.00%
5.80%
20.00% 38.50%
14.40%
10.00%
3.80%*
0.00%
Doctorate MLS MLS + 2nd
* possession of MLS unknown Masters

12. ADVANCED DEGREE SUBJECTS
(OTHER THAN THE MLS)
 12.5% American or European History
 7.7% MBA
 6.7% Education
 3.8% Public Administration
 2.9%
 English
 Latin American Studies
 1.9%
 Music
 Economics
 Computer Science
 Art History
 Less than 1%
 Agriculture, French, Middle Eastern Studies, Asian
Languages, Theology, Anthropology, Government, Liberal Studies

13. DOCTORATE HOLDERS
 25 total
 1 MD
 1 DPA
 23 PhD or EdD
 9 History
 6 Education
 3 Library Science
 3 Unspecified
 1 Economics
 56% male
 45% female
 all doctorate holders without MLS = male

14. INSTITUTIONS WITH DEANS OR DIRECTORS
WITHOUT MLS
 UC Berkeley
 Harvard
 Yale
 University of Michigan
 Library of Congress
 National Institute of Health

15. FURTHER RESEARCH
 Regression analyses should be used to determine
if there have been any changes in degrees of
deans and directors hired in the last 40 years.
 Further analysis needs to be done regarding the
relationship between the degrees of the deans
and directors and their other work experiences.
 Many of these librarians completed their degrees in
the 60s and 70s – it may be helpful to see what other
experiences contributed to their success.
 A comparison of the ARL deans with other types
of institutions would present a more
comprehensive picture.

16. FURTHER RESEARCH
 None of the ARL Library deans and directors
earned advanced degrees in the hard sciences. Do
advanced studies in some subject areas provide
better preparation than others?
 Is there a relationship between advanced study
subject area and type of institution?

17. ANY QUESTIONS?
 Starr Hoffman, MLS, MA
 Librarian for Digital Collections
 Government Documents Department
 UNT Libraries
 PhD Student, Higher Education, UNT
 starr.hoffman@unt.edu
 find my presentations&CV here:
 http://geekyartistlibrarian.wordpress.com
 Annie Downey, MLS
 Instruction Unit Manager
 Research & Instruction Services
 UNT Libraries
 PhD Student, Higher Education, UNT
 annie.downey@unt.edu