With the advent of Web 2.0, the Library 2.0 movement began in 2005 (Gerts & Chan, 2018). Libraries facilitate people to participate, interact and create (Partridge et al, 2010). This changing not only impact on libraries but also information professional. The following is about what I believe the essential knowledge, skills and attributes of an information professional in a Web 2.0 world.

First of all, I think knowledge of technology is essential to an information professional in Web 2.0 world. An information professional needs to have at least basic knowledge about how to use some technology such as social platforms. Since technology ever-changing, information professional also needs to be aware of and have some fundamental understanding of the emerging technology (Partridge et al, 2010).

Secondly, I think the skills of research, communication and project management are essential skills to an information professional. An information professional needs to have research skills to search, locate, evaluate and use resources. Research skills are especially important in higher education libraries (Burton, 2019). Besides, communication skills include the ability to engage in written and oral communication in diverse formats and media are important to an information professional. An information professional should be able to communicate and explain clearly in order to help users to make the best use of the available technology (Partridge et al, 2010). Moreover, libraries will continue to have new projects with the continuous development of technology. An information professional needs to have good project management skills for decision making and problem solving.

Thirdly, I think the attributes of an information professional including willingness to engage in lifelong learning, collaborate with others, be user-centered and try new things. Willingness of lifelong learning enables an information professional to face ever-changing environment. Willingness of collaboration can help an information professional establish networks and completes job duties in teamwork. Being user-centered helps to build an equal relationship between information professionals and users in Library 2.0. Willingness of trying new things enables an information professional to learn new knowledge and to become better at innovating in libraries such as Vancouver Public Schools (Chun, 2018).

 

References

Burton, S. (2019). Future skills for the LIS profession. Online Searcher, 43(2) 42-45.

Chun, T. (2018). “Brave before perfect”: A new approach for future-ready librarians. Teacher Librarian, 45(5), 35-37.

Gerts, C., & Chan, C. (2018). Module 4: Social media in your organisation [Module]. Interact 2. https://interact2.csu.edu.au

Partridge, H., Lee, J., & Munro, C. (2010). Becoming “Librarian 2.0”: The Skills, Knowledge, and Attributes Required by Library and Information Science Professionals in a Web 2.0 World (and Beyond). Library Trends, 59(1), 315-378.