6/21/2022

Learning Objectives
Know and understand
Understand how the ILS
how the ILS environment
LIBS6504 environment has impacted
libraries and information
has impacted Librarians
and Information
Integrated Library Systems services
professionals
Human resources
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, MONA
Identify key
Identify
DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION
STUDIES Identify evolving considerations in
competencies and
LECTURER : AUDREY M. SADDLER, MSC. MLS. BA roles of Librarians in training staff and
skill sets requires in
JUNE 2022 an ILS environment patrons in the
an ILS environment
context of an ILS

How have Libraries and

Information services
changed?
How has the ILS
Software applications, tools and technology driven
environment The advancement of ICT has changed
information has brought about rapid changes in libraries
impacted ◦ Libraries and information services
Deployment and use of integrated library systems

Libraries and Internet technology

Global access to electronic information databases, journals,
◦ Roles and expectations of Librarians and
Information Information professionals E-Books

services? Digital collections

Expanded to include photographs, slides, video clips
Web2.0 technologies/sophisticated OPACS NEXTGEN
 6/21/2022

How have Libraries and

Information services
Has the mission of the Library changed? changed?
How have ◦ NO !
Librarian-centered vs. Patron-Centered
Libraries Has the focus of the Library changed?
◦ YES!
◦ Budd, 2001

and ◦ Shift from a focus on stock collection

and development
Informatio ◦ Shift to access based role
Content-Centered vs. Knowledge-Centered
◦ Content Focus: “how many books & books &
n services ◦ From ownership to access journals?”
◦ Knowledge Focus- “is learning enhanced?”
changed? ◦ Smith, 2000

Impact of technology Impact of Technology on Libraries

on Libraries ‘Organizers’

Technology has exponentially increased the

librarian’s ability to provide library service Material format has changed, but core service roles
(Gharst, 7). have not.

Core of library service The services roles can be called;

◦ organizers,
◦ organizing,
◦ gate keepers
◦ providing access,
◦ and navigators.
◦ and guiding others in the use of materials.
Depending on the size of the Library service roles
may be assigned to different departments.
 6/21/2022

Impact of Technology on Libraries Impact of Technology on

‘Organizers’ Libraries – ‘Organizers’

The Organizers (Technical/Collection services)

Essential task of creating a record of the Library’s

holding.

With the use of technology, the process of ordering,

receiving and providing access to library materials
have completely changed.

Impact of Technology on Libraries

‘Gatekeepers’
Still manage shelving the
collection, shelving and
sending materials to
repairs.
The Gate Keepers (Circulation)
Circulation was previously labour intensive.
Involved lots of paper and staff time.
Technology has provided circulation
Impact of With the impact of technology
staff with better tools to provide the
core library service of managing
Technology ◦ Manage shelves of holds
access to the collection.. on Libraries ◦ Interlibrary loan materials
◦ Collection inventories using wireless
‘Gatekeepers’ laptops

Statistics Print management

Shelf reading
generated via the software to manage
using PDAs
ILS public pcs and printing
 6/21/2022

Impact of Technology on Libraries

Navigators Impact of Technology on Libraries
Navigators

Reference services were

Navigators – Reference
(Information Services)
initially face to face,
patrons visited the library
and were assisted by the
librarian to find materials,
answer questions etc.
Librarians teach patrons how to use
online resources and basic use of the
Staff continue to provide the core
computer.
library service of guiding patrons
Manage meeting rooms in using the resources and
Create blogs services of the library.

Locate resources for library website.

The changing
Challenges environment?
Library users have changed
More complexity in Lack of
locating, analyzing
Technology is
standardization of
Greater access to a ◦ Techno savvy
constantly range of
and linking
changing
both hardware and
information
◦ Invisible
information software
◦ Embraced social network tools
◦ 24 hours/remote access
Substantial ◦ Point of use/time of need
Increased speed in
financial
acquiring Shrinking budgets ◦ Need for librarian – in person or
investments for
information
technology virtually
 6/21/2022

Open libraries
Face of the new library
Libraries without walls Driven by technology

Face of the Offers 24/7 service

Virtual libraries
new library ◦ Virtual reference services
◦ Ask a librarian

Electronic libraries

Emphasizes access rather than ownership

Boundary-less libraries

Techno stress

YES
◦ Reorganized workflows and job functions Information overload
◦ Must embrace changes brought by ILS
Has the ILS
environment ◦ Requires new competencies and skill sets
Networking problems

impacted Challenges
Librarians and ◦ Requires a new mindset Computer hardware and ergonomics
◦ Must meet the users where they are
information
professionals? ◦ Functions in a changing learning environment
Pace of technological change

Lack of proper training of the librarians and users

 6/21/2022

Belief that information

Little formal, access and use of
technology is easy
Increased workload standardized
training • Popular usage vs.

Lack of standardization of hardware and

Information effective research
usage
Software Literacy
Challenges Changing role of librarians
Challenges Point–of-use
Librarians
Time-of-need
Sitting positions partnering
instruction
with course
Slow internet network Grodzins-
instructors
Lipow

Next Generation ILS Next Generation ILS

Challenges and opportunities Challenges and opportunities

Opportunities Challenges
Allows libraries to access an infrastructure and platforms that allows Librarians and library staff are concerned with;
them to reach a broad, geographically dispersed community while
◦ Job security
focusing their services on meeting the specific needs of their end-
users. ◦ Fear of new technologies
◦ Anxious about how to reengineer their business
processes
Allows library staff to work with more modules, play multiple roles, ◦ How to get training
and support each other, resulting in a change in the traditional staff
◦ How to improve their technological skills
models.
◦ How to prepare for the transition
 6/21/2022

Next generation ILS

Challenges and opportunities Evolving roles of Librarians
Challenges
Librarians must retool and take on new
Library administrators must find ways to address the concerns and
roles;
challenges of staff.
◦ Systems librarian
◦ Should provide opportunities for training
◦ Redefine job descriptions
◦ Digital asset managers
◦ Reorganize library organization structures to better adapt to
◦ Metadata librarians
changes ◦ Information literacy specialists
◦ Reconsider workflows ◦ Content developers
◦ Encourage staff to cross-train themselves to expand their ◦ Project Managers
knowledge and improve their work efficiencies. ◦ Negotiator

New Roles for Librarians

Traditional
Enhanced Participation in Learning Librarian careers
Course Development Phase Bibliographic Instruction librarian
• Librarians participate on course/curriculum design team
Cataloguer
Teaching Phase
• 24 x 7 online reference sources integrated into course Documentalist
• Virtual (online) reference
Librarian
• Participate in instruction within online-delivered courses
• Information Literacy Reference Librarian
Evaluation phase- librarians and course instructors Serials Librarian
• Define competencies and measures
Teacher Librarian
• Assess effectiveness of programs & services
 6/21/2022

Selected e-librarian careers

Selected e-librarian careers

Application Catalogue/ Communications Digital Integrated Manager,

Systems Metadata and Training Library Information
Library Virtual
Administrator Librarian Specialist Manager Technology
Systems Library
Librarian
Manager Services
Data
E-Resources Electronic Expert Data
Analysis and Technology
Information Reference Science Technical
Visualization Systems Strategist
Analyst Librarian Librarian Information
Librarian Librarian /Reporting
Specialist
Librarian
Head,
Systems
Web Systems and
Development Website
Development Web Services
Administrator
Librarian Librarian

Skill sets and key

Professional competency
competencies required
Relates to the practitioner’s knowledge of information resources, access, technology and
management, and the ability to use this knowledge as a basis for providing the highest
Special Libraries Association puts forward two types of competencies quality information services. There are four major competencies, each augmented with
specific skills:
required by the Information Professional/Librarian in the 21st century;
◦ Professional competency ◦ A. Managing Information Organizations
◦ Personal competency ◦ B. Managing Information Resources
◦ C. Managing Information Services
◦ D. Applying Information Tools and Technologies
http://www.sla.org/PDFs/Competencies2003_revised.pdf

http://www.sla.org/PDFs/Competencies2003_revised.pdf
 6/21/2022

Professional competencies Professional competencies

E-librarian
E-librarian
Conducts successful chat reference interview Keeps up to date with new electronic information
products and modes of information delivery
Selects, tests and evaluates electronic resources, and makes them
Evaluates information uses, and conducts
accessible via the WEB
researches pertaining to solution for information
Instructs students on the effective use of electronic and print management problems
resources Exhibits innovative use of WEB 2.0 tools for library
Possesses expert knowledge of the content of information applications (blog, wiki, podcast …)

resources Has project management skills

Creates specialized information products for use within the Conducts environmental scanning

institution or by clients

Collaborates with stakeholders in

Manages the ILS the Library and within the
University Community in general

Professional Professional
•Core Library Operations
competencies Has Functional •Information Technology
Designs and delivers effective
training programmes for users at
competencies
•Programming and Scripting
e-librarian knowledge of Languages
all levels e-librarian
•Website Administration

specialist specialist

Displays strong negotiating skills Has an in-depth knowledge of

with vendors information literacy and instruction
 6/21/2022

Personal competencies
Personal
competency
Represents a set of attitudes, skills and values that
enable practitioners to work effectively and contribute
positively to their organizations, clients and profession.
These competencies range from being
◦ strong communicators
◦ demonstrating the value-add of their contributions,
◦ flexible and positive in an ever-changing environment.
http://www.sla.org/PDFs/Competencies2003_revised.pdf
e-librarian
Is committed to service par excellence
Creates an environment of mutual trust and respect
Has effective communications skills
Is courteous and should have a good sense of humour
Works well with others in a team
Recognizes the true value of forging and maintaining professional links
Positive and flexible in an ever-changing environment
Is adaptable
Has a passion for challenges and risks

Personal competencies
e-librarian specialist Core competencies
Integrity
Displays honesty and confidentiality Anchors the Absolutely Development and
professional and essential for every sharing of
knowledge
Good communication Skills personal information
competencies. professional. is critical;
Is flexible, dedicated and committed
Has a passion for risks, challenges and the unknown
Publications and Acknowledge and
Is in a continuous learning mode Association Conducting and collaborative adhere to the
networks sharing research arrangements of ethics of the
Has job satisfaction because of the “constant Quest to Know” at conferences all kinds profession..

Forges and maintains professional network links

 6/21/2022

Library Schools have reviewed Technology related courses in

curriculum to included evolving
information systems and library schools
technologies.
Key Information Architecture for Internet Services
considerations Librarians and information Knowledge Management
specialists must embrace Database Management for Library Systems
in training continuing education Data Administrative Concepts and Database Management
staff and opportunities.
Digital Libraries
patrons Designing Web-base Database System
Information Technology in Schools and Libraries
Include instructional training Survey of Telecommunications and Information Policy
Information in Educational Organizations

Technology related courses in Continuing education

opportunities
library schools
Information and Information Environment
Managing Information Technology Enabled Change Webinars Web 2.0/Library 2.0 Web Page Design

Management of Internet Information Sources and Services

Computerized Textual Information Management
Publication & Production of Information Material User
Listservs/Relevant Short courses in
conferences/Seminars/
User groups relevant areas
Information Marketing for Information Technology Technical meeting
Department
Strategic Information System for Information Professional
E-commerce Professional
Self Learning
networking

Knowledge & Skills about
◦ Resources (books, journals, i.e.,
resources, Internet)
Required for
◦ Facilities and resources (computer,
LIS
online catalogues, websites, LANs, file
Professionals
servers etc.)
◦ Financial (budget) and Human resources
(skills for manpower training)
Technical Knowledge required
Operating systems - Windows, UNIX, LINUX.
Word processing, Graphics, Spread sheet &
Presentations
Required for DBMS including the skills in Bibliographic DBMS
LIS General purpose programming, Networking
Professionals Web page Development and Content Management
Information Retrieval software for online, CD-ROM
and Internet.
Library software packages
Acquaintances with Digital Library Tools Capacity to
use free/open-source resources
6/21/2022
Required for LIS Professionals
◦ Accept change
◦ Knowledge of user interaction with information resources
◦ Provide quality service
◦ Be adoptive, flexible and resistant
◦ Be resourceful
◦ Excellent communication, constantly update personal
knowledge base
◦ Create awareness among the users
◦ Be an information management strategist etc.
World of information undergoing rapid
change
IT playing crucial role in restructuring the
libraries
Looking to
Shifting from human dependent operations to machine
the future dependency, mechanization (data processing) to knowledge
processing, stand alone system to network computing, local LAN
to wireless access protocol systems
librarians need to be aware of the
implications of these changes and develop
technological and managerial skills
 6/21/2022

Looking to the future Are Librarians in the Caribbean equipped to

working an ILS environment?

Is the Curriculum in Library science designed to

ICT has brought a lot of changes not only on the library and information services but enable this?
also on the roles and expectations of the librarians and information professionals
Are there local conferences/Seminars/Technical
Effective utilization of new technologies in libraries is possible only with the skilled and Discussion meetings which promote ICT and ILS in Libraries?
competent personnel.

It has become essential for library to have staff with

Are there short courses available in relevant areas?

Information Technology skills

Does the Library Association have a role to play?
Highly skilled employees must rapidly adapt to the changes as well as drive the
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQShQLRAi-M
innovations within our field

Selected websites
http://joblist.ala.org/

http://alia.org.au/employment/vacancies/

http://www.cla.ca

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/categories/librarianship