Skill of 21 st Century Librarian

Skill of 21 st Century Librarian

                                         Ramanik S.Lengure

                                         (Librarian)

                                        Renuka Mahavidyalaya Besa,Nagpur

                                         ramanik lengure@gmail.com

Abstact:

Academic libraries support the teaching & reserarh needs of institutions they serve.It is the libraries responsibilities to ensure that the use of its information resources & services are maximized to benefit users,hence the necessity for user education programme.

The paper also introduced to skill academic  libraries ,librarians and its electronics development.these competencies are focused on the abilities,skill and knowledge that make a reference and user services of  libraries unique from other professionals. The competencies assume a basic infrastructure pof competencies required by all professionals,such as a skill related communication, referenece service,and electronics guidance.  The paper reviews the skill,knowledge and attitude needed by librarians and information professionals to survive and flourich in the 21 century.

Introduction:

            Librarians are in the best position to make use of the increasing information avaibable ,having access to both internal and external information as well as knowledge of the information needs of their specific users.  As we increasingly move towares a veb of data rather than a web of documents it would seem that a basic level of proficiency in data collection and manipulation could become as important a skill to the future librarian as search engines are today.

            The skill sets  of librarians and computer programmers are very different and it would undoubtedly be an inefficient use of resources to train librarians to a professional standard of programming. 

Teachnical skill & the Librarian:-

            Specific skills will vary depending on type of library one works in,will vary by departments within a library,will also vary from library to library-and will most definitely change rapidly.This often requires that everyone have a good sense of basic computer troubleshooting skills.  Some technical skills that I think everyone who works in a library should have are as follows:

Basic knowledge of a personal computer

Knowledge of file folder structure,knowledge of networks folders,add a network drive,add printers,knowledge of different file formats & ability to recognize virus files.

·         Internet knowledge:-

·         Software knowledge:-

·         Networking knowledge:-

What is the network?-what do you need to put a computer  on  a network?(network interface card & data cable)-wireless networks.

·         Hardware knowledge:-

Every librarian should hardware knowledge.because it is important for computer knowledge.

·         Other computer concepts:-

He should have basic computer knowledge such as to reboot, soft and hard boots,ability to clearly articulate and define computer problems.

      Basic Tech Competencies

1.     Abitily to embrace change

2.     Comfort in the online medium

3.     Ability to troubleshoot new technologies

4.     Ability to easily learn new technologies

5.     Ability to keep up with new ideas in technology and librarianship(enthusiasm for learning)

   Higher Level Competencies

1.     Project management skill

2.     Ability to question and evaluate library services

3.     Ability to evaluate the needs of all stakeholders

4.     Vision to translate traditiona library services into the online medium

5.     Critical of technologies and ability to compare technologies

6.      Ability to sell ideas/library services

           

The Role of Librarian in the 21 st Century

1.    The Role of Librarians in the 21 st Century

a.    Information broker for both print and electronic media-identifies,retrieves,organizes,repackages and provides electronic access to digital information sources

b.    Change agent,i.e.Technology application leader-collaborates/IT services to design and evaluate systems that would facilitate e-access

c.    Facilitatot-makes access easier,e.g.provides network access,purchases softwares & e-journal licenses

d.    Educator-trains clients on internet use:tools,search engines,online databases is faster and more efficient.

e.    Collaborator-Expanded area of collaboration,not just with fellow librarians but with IT people,the community,etc.

f.     Policy maker-Develops or participates in the development of an information policy for an organization,ensuring total or selective acess to all information resources

g.    Bussiness Manager-negotiates with publishers and aggregators for the most advantageous license agreements for e-journals and databases

h.    Image Maker-Adds value to the library to gain management support and project a positive image to the outside world

2. Competencies Needed to Fill the Roles in the Digital Age

                                    a. Competencies are “a combination of skills,knowledge,and behavior patterns vital to organizational success,personal achievement,and career development”.

3. Professionals Competencies

                                    a. Librarian’s knowledge in the areas of information resources,information access,technology manager,and research plus the ability to apply them in providing library and information services.

4. More Progfessional competencies: Librarian must be able to:

                                    a. develope specialized information products for use inside

                                     or outside the organization

                                    b. evaluate the outcomes of information luse and conduct

                                     research to help the solution of information management

                                     problems.

                                    c. continually improve information services in response to

                                    the changing needs.

                                    d. be a effectve member of the senior management team

                                    and a consultant to the organization on information issues.

5. Persponal competencies

                                    a. “a set of skills,and values that enables librarians:

                                    b. be good communicators

                                    c. to focus on continuing learning throughout their careers

                                    d. to demonstrate the vaue-added nature of their

                                     contributions

5.  Personal Competencies

                                    a. commitment  to share knowledge and to service

    excellence.

                                    b. ability to face challenges ad to see new opportunities both

                                     inside and outside the library.

                                    c. foresight; sees the big picture

                                    d. strong interest and belief in partnerships and alliances

7. More Personal Competencies

                                    a. ability to create an environment of mutual respect and

                                     trust.

                                    b. effective communication skills

                                    c. good team work

                                    d. dynamic leadership

                                    e. systematic planning and prioritizing skills,with focus on

                                     what is critical

                                   

Skill for Library Professionals

1.  Listening skills

2.  Communications skills

3.  Interpersonal skills

4.  Public Relations

5.  Customer service

6.  Leadership skills & Teamwork

7.  Negotiating skills

8.  Writing skills

9.  Project management skill

10. Presentation skills

11. Teaaching skills

Other Skill

1. Library and Information Handling Skills

2. ICT knowledge Skill

3. Time Management Skills

4. Knowledge Mapping Skill

5. Planning Skill

6. Organisation Skill

7. Controlling Skill