As Dr. Josey and Ms. DeLoach wrote in their Introduction to the second editionof The Handbook of Black Librarianship: “In designing the second edition of The Handbook of Black Librarianship, the editors felt that this work should be a reference tool related to the various aspects of African Americans in librarianship and their work in libraries.” That first edition covered issues faced by black library professionals in the various fields of librarianship; organizations formed; black library collections and books; resources and other areas of progress. The second edition, published twenty-three years later, highlighted more current events in Black librarianship: early and contemporary library organizations, vital issues, African American resources, discussions on and about librarianship, a focus on health librarianship, and information resources and education. It has now been another twenty-two years since the last edition and time to reflect on “various aspects of African Americans” in our profession as well as the advancements over the past two and a half decades and to review those issues African Americans still face and how modern technological advancements have impacted our profession and the lives of Black librarians. This third edition’s coverage includes: Pioneers and Landmark Episodes A Chronology of Events in Black Librarianship African American Forerunners in Librarianship Modern Day Black Library Organizations Vital Issues in Black Librarianship Library Service to Our Communities Library Technology and Black Librarianship Pearls from Our Retirees Issues in Diversity, Inclusion and Multiculturalism African Library Resources and Education Banned Books Significant Books and Periodicals for Black Collections

In this update of the ideal introduction to the library profession, the core competencies of professional librarians are presented in 14 essays supplemented with foundational principles and context. The original edition of this book gained popularity as a required work for LIS because it uniquely provided a broad, accessible overview of the core curricular areas and foundations for the library profession. What distinguishes the book as an introduction to the work of professional librarians is that it's not just about information in context or about libraries and their mission. Importantly, it also covers the required competencies of professional librarians, laying a firm foundation for future courses. In this second edition, each chapter has been revised and updated to take into account current thinking and references. As with the first edition, the book is organized around the foundations of the profession and key functional areas. Questions such as how to think like a librarian and how to facilitate community development are specifically and explicitly addressed. In compiling the book, the editors sought out the leading thinkers, educators, and practitioners in each core area as chapter authors. Each of the contributors provides an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with their respective area of expertise, discusses current and emerging applications, and explores trends and issues.

Unstorically, African American librarians have faced the same discrimination as other African American professionals: lack of respect; placement only in African American communities; failure to receive promotions to administrative positions, especially those requiring supervision of Caucasian counterparts; and failure to recognize contributions to the organization and the profession. African American Librarians in the Far West includes biographies of twenty-two librarians who practiced in the western United States and Hawaii and contributed to the advancement of African Americans in the profession, the library, the general community, and the field of library and information science.