When asked to visualise a librarian, we tend to conjure an image of a little, old lady with large spectacles ready to “shush” anyone who disturbs the blanketing silence of a library. From my own experience working in a library, I don’t recall ever uttering a single “shush” and honestly, I’d be anxious about that type of confrontation!
Web 2.0 has initiated a shift in the way library staff operate, with the need to keep up with the ever-changing world of tech to support everyday patrons. Here are a few of the key development areas that I’ve seen become fundamental for today’s information professionals:
Digital Literacy and technological knowledge
With the development of digital spaces and information, there is a growing need to strengthen literacy skills. Digital literacy is especially important for anybody as it is having an awareness of new technologies, while still testing new opportunities to evolve current practices and services (Charles Sturt University, 2023). Developing these skills in a workplace can guarantee reliable resources are being utilised within the library setting.
Curating digital collections
Digital collections are becoming more and more important for libraries to facilitate as the growing demand for flexibility and online use increases. A digital collection can be comprised of born-digital resources and digitised materials created from the original physical items. Developing digital collections for library patrons allows the resources to be accessible now and in the future with its creation and maintenance facilitated by staff (State Library of NSW, n.d.).
Collaboration and knowledge sharing
With so many technologies and digital spaces rapidly evolving, it would be unreasonable to expect library staff to be experts in all areas. Collaborations and knowledge sharing with fellow information professionals and the public are critical to overcoming this issue. A study was conducted in South Asia concerning their techniques and attitudes to knowledge sharing regarding new technologies and trends. Here it was found that library staff were enthusiastic and prepared to share knowledge which has resulted in a common understanding of new and emerging technologies used in their fields (Deka & Subveerapandiyan, 2021, pp.12-14).
While this is only a short list of essential skills, refining knowledge in these areas provides a solid basis for Information professionals can confidently travel into new and advanced opportunities for their organisations and beyond.
References:
Charles Sturt University. (2023). Why is digital literacy important? https://libguides.csu.edu.au/digital_literacies/why
Deka, A., & Subveerapandiyan, A. (2021). Understanding the knowledge-sharing behaviours of library professionals in South Asia. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021, 1-16.
State Library of New South Wales. (n.d.). Digital Preservation. https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections/building-our-collections/caring-collections/digital-preservation