Summary
Task: Based on your examination of the resources above, and your own research, define what you believe to be the essential knowledge, skills, and attributes of an information professional in the digital era. Write up your definition as a post (of no more than 350 words) in your OLJ.
OLJ Task 8: Defining information professional in the digital era
The rise of technology has brought with it endless new and evolving opportunities which has subsequently changed the way in which society learns, works, and plays. It is likely that this will not only continue, but also accelerate into the future. Unsurprisingly, this has led to a shift in the knowledge, skills, and attributes that information professionals need to succeed in their roles. This has led to, as Burton (2019) discusses, for the need of an expansive toolkit. So, in an era where easy access to information has almost become a prerequisite and thus an expectation and often at the snap of one’s finger (instant gratification anyone?), what is an information professional in the digital era?
Primarily, information professionals are adventurous and curious individuals with growth and design mindsets who are open to learning, adopting, and adapting. As Millhiser (2019, March 6)points out, with no end in sight when it comes to digital transformation, continuous learning is vital. Ayinde and Kirkwood’ (2020)recommendation that ‘learning, unlearning, and relearning’ (p.150) along with continuous professional training supports this. This is not a time to shy away from the new, rather it is necessary to take advantage of the technology and learn how to make it accessible to users. Networking and collaboration with others in both physical and virtual spaces, which has become easier than ever with technology, is key to learning, supporting, and moving the profession forward.
As a service oriented profession, information professionals need to be able to meet users where they are at, and in the digital era play a key role in assisting users to make sense of the information beyond what is explicit. The human skills, which is the ability be socially and emotionally intelligent and be able to work with everyone, regardless of age, gender, background, race, heritage, and social standing remains, as Ayinde and Kirkwood (2020)point out, as important as ever despite the evolution of technology.
The information professional of today must be dynamic and ready to evolve as we move forward in the digital era and then on the next, yet to be defined ‘era’. Keeping Heraclitus’ well-known quote ‘change is only constant’ (n.d.) at the forefront and being adaptable, flexible, and willing to learn along the way is key to success.
Word count – 376
REFERENCES
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.
Heraclitus. (n.d.). Change is the only constant. https://www.azquotes.com/quote/612512
McGuire, Ryan. (n.d.). [Photograph of mountain and ocean scene in black and white with a quote]. https://quotefancy.com/quote/1003699/Heraclitus-Change-is-the-only-constant
Millhiser, A. (2019, March 6). Three ways to prepare your business for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitymillhiser/2019/03/06/three-ways-to-prepare-your-business-for-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/?sh=d56b88676fa8
