Furthering the librarian’s journey: predicting terrorism?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the traditional librarian positions with intelligence analyst positions.

Design/methodology/approach

Opinion.

Findings

Similarities outnumber differences, and borrowing vocabulary and skills could benefit both, especially regarding long-term planning and spending in academic libraries.

Research limitations/implications

Comparing salaries, management structure and possibilities for advancement would be interesting points of study.

Originality/value

A literature search for comparing librarians with intelligence analysts revealed, in part, a 2013 lecture at the annual Special Libraries Association conference by Edna Reid, and a 2012 article from the Journal of Education for Library and Information Science on incorporating aspects of intelligence analysis into library school curricula.

Citation

Steele, K. (2015), "Furthering the librarian’s journey: predicting terrorism?", The Bottom Line, Vol. 28 No. 3, pp. 87-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-05-2015-0005