Professional librarianship: always preparing for the future

The Context Statement is Part One of my submission for my thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctorate in Professional Studies by Public Works. It is presented to be read in conjunction with Part Two of this submission, which contains publications which represent the public works. The Context Statement is written in line with the requirements of Middlesex University regulations for doctoral awards and the chapters are structured in relation to these requirements. The submitted works were not initially written for submission as part of a D. Prof.
The Context Statement has stimulated me to bring together a description of the reflective practice which has been inherent in the development of my public works, both those selected for special treatment in Chapter 2 and those described throughout the context statement. In chapter 1 I place my work in context, beginning with my interest in libraries which then became specialised in the library automation field. In section 2, as mentioned I introduce four public works which are in the case of the first three represented by publications. Chapter 3 is a justification for the Doctorate in Professional Studies by Public Works, outlining the place of reflection and reflective practices throughout the development of these public works. In Chapter 4 I return to the themes of International Librarianship, General Librarianship, Library Automation and Standardization which permeate my public works, before drawing my conclusions on the importance not only of reflection but of innovation in my public works.