2nd July, 2013
21ST CENTURY
LIBRARIAN
BY
SARAH OZUEM
A 21st century Librarian is one
who is conversant with the trends of Information and Communication Technologies
in its application and usage in library practices. They are responsible for
acquiring and managing ICT facilities that can be used in improving library
services. The work of the 21st century librarian continues to be grounded on a
solid foundation of professional practice. The development of Information and
Communication Technology over the years has witnessed rapid growth and
librarians as an information expertise need to be acquainted with such
development as they serve as gateway to knowledge. As opined by CARL, (2010),
"the 21st Century librarian are expected to be
technologically-savvy". They are expected to thrive in the digital
environment, actively engaged in the exploration and implementation of new
technologies in their libraries, implementing a variety of web-based projects,
initiatives and infrastructures, they also need to preserve, extend, and
facilitate access to information and knowledge comprising humankind's cultural,
scientific and intellectual heritage.
Librarians need to be
comfortable with changing technologies, interacting with users outside of the
library space, and honing their negotiation, public speaking and presentation
skills. “Just in Time” has replaced “Just in Case” in acquisitions, collection
support and readers’ services. The library is a portal to services, collections
and information; Librarians should aid the archival function and data
preservation, these functions require the ability and willingness to develop
both private and public partnerships. Librarians need to participate in the
legislative process. Librarians need to understand the research process and
expand the subject knowledge for liaison subject librarians. Furthermore,
Librarians need to be visible and proactive; they need to engage in
institutional politics. Respecting institutional traditions, librarians need to
bring vitality a new perspective to the institutional life. The library needs
to be known as centre of excellence distinguished by high quality, productivity
and innovation.
Librarians in the 21st Century should have a strong understanding of the principles of information literacy in the library environs, including numerical and data literacy. They should have knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective reference service that provides access to relevant and reliable information, to effectively interact with users in order to determine information needs and when that need has been satisfied, knowledge of learning models and strategies as well as relevant teaching pedagogy and models for the library environs. Librarians should be knowledgeable of, and commit to, on-going research and professional development in contributing to writing, editing, reviewing of books, articles or reports, contribution through presentations to professional or scholarly associations, active participation in professional associations which may include holding executive office or serving on committees, ability to stay abreast of research in a specific area to support a research agenda or to support other work as a librarian within the library, knowledge of the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods including the research process.
Librarians in the 21st Century should have a strong understanding of the principles of information literacy in the library environs, including numerical and data literacy. They should have knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective reference service that provides access to relevant and reliable information, to effectively interact with users in order to determine information needs and when that need has been satisfied, knowledge of learning models and strategies as well as relevant teaching pedagogy and models for the library environs. Librarians should be knowledgeable of, and commit to, on-going research and professional development in contributing to writing, editing, reviewing of books, articles or reports, contribution through presentations to professional or scholarly associations, active participation in professional associations which may include holding executive office or serving on committees, ability to stay abreast of research in a specific area to support a research agenda or to support other work as a librarian within the library, knowledge of the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods including the research process.
Librarians in the 21st Century
should have strong knowledge and capability in the basic structure, content and
use of an Integrated library system (ILS), trends in web development including
online social networking tools such as: (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace,
Flickr, Skype etc...), understanding of principles of web page design and
maintenance, knowledge of the structure of Learning Management system (LMS),
repositories, and how databases are designed and structured for convenient data
and/or information retrieval.
CONCLUSION
As a Librarian in the 21st
Century there is need for constant development, enriching personal skills,
involve in continuous research, associate with librarians in other countries,
visits other libraries, participates in professional associations, ensure to
use ICT facilities, attend training workshops, read extensively, and above all
try to keep a follow-up of trends in Information and Communication
Technologies.
