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The article focuses on some of the findings from a comparative study of first level library and/or IntroductionThere seems to be lack of clarity among the majority of people associatedwith library and/or information services (LIS services)2 as to the relationship between university and technikon first level library and/or information science (LIS) education and training. LISeducators, as well, need to decide what to teach, at what levels and for what types of posts in the work environment. The situation is aggravated by the fact that technikons in South Africa, which had previously offered non-degree programmes only, have begun to offer programmes leading to degree qualifications. This article reports on some of the findings that emerged from a comparative study of first level library and/or information science qualifications offered at South African universities and technikons. The study hopes to provide guidance to employers, students and educators regarding education and training as well as employment in the library and/or information services field.The objectives of this article are, firstly, to provide clarity to those currently employed in library and/or information services, those who wish to become library and/or information professionalsand those who want to employ library and/ or information professionals as to what type of first level education and training is required for given posts in the LIS services work environment; and secondly, to provide clarity to library and/or information science educators regarding what job specifications they should be targeting in the academic curriculum, especially in view of the seemingly blurred demarcation between university and technikon library and/or information science education. These objectives are Library and/or information science This term refers to the discipline or branch of learning of library and information science/studies as well as that of information science/studies. This discipline is generally concerned with recordable information and knowledge, and the services and technologies to facilitate their management and use (American Library Association 1992: I). Library and/or information science is, again for the sake of brevity in this article, abbreviated in certain places as LIS.First level library and/or information science qualification A first level library and/or information science qualification is a beginning LIS qualification that affords an individual entry into the LIS services work environment where the work can be at the professional or at the paraprofessional level. This is different from a first level professional library and/or information science qualification.First level professional library and/or information science qualification This is a beginning LIS qualification that affords an individual entry into the LISservices work environment at a professional level. Another term that requires clarity is 'library and/or information professional'.Library and/or information professional The library and/or information professional works...