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

MOORECO https://blog.moorecoinc.com/taking-the-school-library-from-brick-and-mortar-to-click-and-mortar%5B/caption%5D

Laura Cole made a number of points in her video, ‘The Reimagined Library – Where will it find you?’, that has opened my eyes to the possibilities in revolutionising the school library. Library 2.0 ethos has had an overwhelming impact on the possibilities for libraries and has opened the door to countless options. I work in a public school library in the Hills district in Sydney. Our library has 90 devices available for student use in the library and across the school we 3:4 ratio of devices to student. This high number of devices available to students enabling me to implement points made by Laura that embrace the Library 2.0 ethos.

• One key point Laura makes is breaking barriers to information accessibility. Our library offers a broad range of resources including e-books and audiobooks and students with a range of abilities have been educated on how to access these and this has proven to break down accessibility barriers. It is important to ensure all students have access to resources and as a librarian it is important to embrace these digital resources as required.
• Laura also highlighted the role of the librarian from custodians of books to facilitators of knowledge exploration. This includes not only guiding students through various digital resources but also collaborating with teachers in integrating technology within the curriculum. Supporting students and teachers through the digital landscape is essential as the librarian acts a navigator.
• Library as a collaborative learning space. Library 2.0 ethos involves transforming a passive study space into a vibrant hub where collaboration and interactive sessions bring the school community together to learn and become active participants. My library still resembles a traditional space in that we have many books available for loan but it has evolved over the years. Fortunately, my school had a new library built and this was a great opportunity to reduce the number of physical books and introduce a digital collection that proved to be invaluable during COVID lock down.
• Laura also highlights that as the need to store books is reduced the library space can be redefined by optimising space and flexibility. The space can be set up to accommodate the digital tools and equipment required to access multimedia resources. It can also be redesigned to accommodate collaborative work areas and various learning styles to accommodate all students. Even though my school library has books that need to be shelved we also have space for flexible seating and devices to allow for collaborative learning spaces to accommodate technology driven activities.

Laura Cole’s perspectives on Library 2.0 can serve as a guide to the transformation of our school libraries into technology hubs including collaborative spaces that break barriers to access resources and are managed by teacher librarians. This will assist in creating an inclusive vibrant hub that fosters collaborative learning while accommodating diverse needs.

Reference

Cole, L. (2016, April 16). BiblioTech as the re-imagined public library: Where will it find you? [Video]. YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnYDl66YfQ0