The information professional is a complex role that has changed and will continue to change over the years. The manifesto created by Laura Cohen, Tedx talk by Mark Ray and articles by Akwang (2021), Ayinde and Kirkwood (2020) and Burton (2019) give unique perspective on what it takes to be an information professional in the digital era. From these talks and articles I have written my own definition demonstration my understandings of what I believe to be the essential knowledge, skills, and attributes of an information professional in the digital era.

Definition of the information professional in the digital era-

The role of the information professional has changed dramatically since the beginning of the digital age. It requires multifaceted skill set including traditional library skills alongside future focused technological proficiencies. An information professional must have a deep knowledge of up-to-date technologies including social media platforms to retrieve and share information. Information professionals must be experts on the principals of information and knowledge management to best meet the needs of their customers and be experts on information literacy. In order to achieve this information professionals must –

• Have strong communication skills.
• Be customer service orientated.
• Have strong management skills to ensure optimal delivery of services.
• Be lifelong learners and adapt to the ever-changing information landscape by staying up to date with technological advancements and the ever-changing information landscape.
• Be a strategic thinker and embrace innovation.
• Work collaboratively and network with a variety of teams and departments to improve information access and services.
• Conduct themselves in an ethical manner and understand laws and regulations in the areas or data protection and intellectual property.

An information professional in the digital age must be flexible, tech savvy creative person who supports information literacy, adapts to new situations, works well with others and envisions libraries as vibrant centres of knowledge. They are more than resource selectors as they provide users with the tools to successfully navigate, comprehend in an ever more complicated and ever-changing information landscape.

References

Akwang, N. E. (2021). A study of librarians’ perceptions and adoption of Web 2.0 technologies in academic libraries in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(2), 102299.

Ayinde, L., & Kirkwood, H. (2020). Rethinking the roles and skills of information professionals in the 4th Industrial Revolution. Business Information Review, 37(4), 142-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266382120968057

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

Cohen, L. (2006, November 6). A Librarian’s 2.0 Minfesto [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZblrRs3fkSU

Mark, R. (2016, June 8). Changing the Conversation About Librarians [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IniFUB7worY