Professional legitimacy and models of excellence : the librarian and the user

From a study by the Bibliothèque publique d'information about the interaction between the librarian and the user, this article gives the models of excellence of the librarians for this activity : the « professional » model, which puts the stress on the documentary expertise, the « guide » model which gives greater place to the quality of the relation. Both point out the image of an ideal user, the « good pupil » and the « lost neophyte ». Each model bases itself on objectives and defines different practices and contributions. Secondary models and counter-models can also be found : then the professional identity is not univocal.
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