Defining Librarian 2.0

Stemming from the creation of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0, the need to be future focused, digital literate, information managers has given birth to a new generation of librarians, a ‘Librarian 2.0’ if you will. The question arising from this is that in a semi-new but ever evolving digital landscape, what essential skills and knowledge does this new generation of librarian’s possess that their predecessors didn’t? In his article, ‘Future skills for the LIS profession’, Burton (2019) conducted surveys among current librarians addressing the question of which skills and attributes were the most desired for a library/informational professional to possess. The answers included:

• information, knowledge and project management;
• digital literacy; and
• the ability to research over multiple devices and platforms.

It seems that the humble librarian has gone from the traditional purveyor of literature and information to the superhero we turn to that can find any piece of information, creates engaging and educational programs everyone enjoys, keeps the social media and website up-to-date, as well as finds us that perfect book in their spare time. And if this is the case, do we need to re-evaluate what knowledge and skills are being taught to our future librarians?

As libraries evolve and the need for librarians to encompass a widening range of skills and attributes increases, it is also important to have the courses which impart these skills and knowledge evolve as well. Williams and Saunders (2020) identify a number of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) that are valuable to the expectations and future success of information professions in a Library 2.0 world. While there were still a number of the more traditional KSAs identified, or ones you would expect to find in a library or information professional, there were some non-traditional KSAs mentioned including data management, aspects of diversity and inclusion, and community engagement (Williams & Saunders, 2020). By teaching our students how to collaborate, communicate, and innovate through these valuable skills and attributes, we are essentially preparing them to become tomorrow’s librarians (Schwartz, 2016).

Just as we have begun to define Librarian 2.0 from a Web 2.0 perspective, we are already seeing the emergence of Web 3.0, and with this emergence can a Library 3.0 and a Librarian 3.0 be far behind? I, for one, can’t wait to see what the next generation of librarians, a ‘Librarian 3.0’ if you will, is able to achieve.

Ask a Librarian. (2012). Ask a librarian superheroes [Image]. http://info.askalibrarian.org/2012/10/19/ask-a-librarian-superheroes/

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

Schwartz, M. (2016). Careers: Top skills for tomorrow’s librarians. Library Journal, 141(4), 1-5.

Williams, R. & Saunders’s L. (2020). What the field needs: Core knowledge, skills and abilities for public librarianship. The Library Quarterly, 90(3), 283-297. https://doi.org/10.1086/708958