Library education in Greece: history, current status and future prospects

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to report the history of the Greek Library Science (LS) education, to document proposed and current programmes of study and to evaluate the current under-graduate and post-graduate status of library studies in Greece. Design/methodology/approach -- The research methodology is based on bibliographic research of papers and articles and the documentation of programmes of study of Greek schools of LS. Findings -- The paper traces the history of library education in Greece with an emphasis on the suggested or implemented curricula over a period of five decades, documents the social conditions that affected the establishment of tertiary library education and proposes some changes to be implemented in schools of LS. Originality/value -- The paper records and evaluates the official library programmes of study over a period of time that covers all the course of formal library education in Greece. These programmes are not always documented in official records. Furthermore, statistical data regarding the library students of all Greek schools of LS are presented.