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Recruitment to the profession and retention 
of librarians continue to be much talked 
about topics in the library world. This issue 
of C&RL News includes two articles that ad­
dress these topics. “Recruiting students to 
careers in academic libraries” describes a 
mentoring program developed by the ACRL 
Delaware Valley Chapter, which links stu­
dents in local library schools with librarians 
in academic institutions. The program opens 
the door to the possibility of an academic 
library career to new MLS students and ben­
efits both the students and mentors. 

“Practicing the golden rule: Creating a win­
win new employee orientation” makes the point 
that a good first impression goes a long way 
towards making a new hire feel comfortable 
and increases the chance that he or she will 
stay with the institution. Tips about business 
to take care of prior to a new hire’s arrival as 
well as important information to cover during 
the on­site orientation are shared here. 

In this month’s Creativity and Leadership 
article, “Rafting the rapids 2005,” Shelley 
Phipps, assistant dean for team and orga­
nization development at the University of 
Arizona Libraries, addresses the challenges 
facing libraries today, many of which stem 
from competition from commercial infor­
mation providers and technology vendors. 
She posits a number of questions, the 
answers to which will guide the future of 
academic libraries, and encourages librar­
ians to develop a vision of their future that 
incorporates the changes that are happening 
all around us. 

Statements from ACRL’s two candidates for 
the office of vice president/president elect are 
also in this issue. Get to know Randy Burke 
Hensley and Pamela Snelson before casting 
your vote this spring. Ballots will be available 
mid­March. 

—Stephanie Orphan, Editor­in­chief 
sorphan@ala.org 

February 2005  93 C&RL News 

mailto:sorphan@ala.org