Abstract:

With the development of digital library and network information technology, some changes
have occurred to library profession. This paper investigates the formation, professional development, and
compensation of functional specialists, who are mostly professional staff without degrees of library and
information science (LIS) in American libraries. It takes Harvard University Library as an example, and offers
advice on the development of library and librarians in China.

Key words: American library, Functional specialist, Professional staff without degrees of library
and information science, Personnel management