Evolution of Preservation Librarianship as Reflected in Job Descriptions from 1975 through 1987

This article examines the job content of the field of preservation librarianship as evidenced in job advertisements culled from five major publications from 1975 through 1987.The authors consider factors such as qualifications, duties, reporting line, and salary-all of which show that preservation librarians function in a largely administrative role, possess the M.L.S. in many, but not all cases, and are being paid below the average salary for functional and subject specialists and department heads.The findings also show a considerable variation in the perception of the functions of preservation administrators.n this study we examined the job content of preservation librarianship* as reflected in library placement advertisements from 1975 through 1987 in order to trace the development and growth of preservation as a specialty primarily within the library profession.Additionally, we hoped that the data would help us draw conclusions about the ways in which preservation positions were situated in various organizational structures.