BY

LffiRARY AND INFORMA TIO SCIENCE PROFESSIO ALSAND SKILL SETS FOR THE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION

ENVrn.ONMENT

Ukachi, Ngozi B.Main Library,

University of Lagos,Akoka, Lagos State.

ukachingozi2001{@,yahoo.com+234-8033269080

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the need for library professionals to acquirecore competences and new skills relevant for the management of themodem-day library .and also, capable of making them relevant in thepresent competitive electronic environment. It also discusses the impactof emerging changes on the role of libraries. It further explains differentskill sets required by library professionals for the electronic environment.This article stresses that the growth and continued existence of librariansin this technology based environment is dependent' on their ability toacquire new skill sets to navigate the electronic environment effectivelyand also compete favourably with counterparts from other disciplineswho want to hijack library responsibilities from the librarians.

Keywords: Electronic Information Environment; LIS Professionals; Skillsets; New Skills; Information Technology.

Traditionally, library and information services have always beenconcerned with the collection, organisation, storage and dissemination ofinformation materials to users with the aim of satisfying their informationneeds. The client in this era is required to physically visit the library orinformation centre as the case may be, before he or she can be a beneficiaryof these services. The advent of new technologies in the information worldhas affected the information generation, processing, storage anddistribution patterns. It has created diversified ch.annels for access and

INTRODUCTIO

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distribution of information and knowledge, collapsed the waiting time forusers and also provides users with more tools in terms of informationresources and access point. The electronic information environment whichevolved as a result of the emergence and utilisation of these informationtechnologies in the information world has brought with it opportunities andchallenges for library and information science (LIS) professionals. Forinstance, we are no longer just encumbered with the role of collectiondevelopment in the conventional approach of acquisition of print based ortangible resources and their processing but also building digital collections.We are expected to navigate through the quantum of information providedparticularly by the Internet, index and circulate them to the users. More so,the exposure of users to various kinds of information from different sourcesand in various formats in this electronic information era has equallyaffected their information seeking behaviour. Users are no longer requiredto visit the libraries before their information needs are met. Instead,services are rendered to them even from remote places. Hence Kinengyereand Tumuhairwe (2009) stated in regard to academic libraries that,"libraries will continue to be dynamic in the coming years, because as theneeds and expectations of the academia evolve, so too does the expertiseand services of the LIS community and the profession".

It is common knowledge that even when these technologies andaccompanying resources in electronic formats are acquired by librariesparticularly, in developing nations, the challenge of getting. skilfulpersonnel to man these equipment and resources still arises. Most often,this has caused libraries to hire and be at the mercy of consultants inrelation to the management of its facilities and resources, which isinappropriate. This has generated speculation by some individuals,especially those enamoured with high Information CommunicationTechnology devices, that the Internet will displace libraries and informationcentres. They believe that the present era of electronic information is meantto replace libraries. The questions that need to be answered are: Is this eraactually meant to replace libraries? What are the services required oflibrarians in an electronic environment? What skill sets and competenciesare required of library and information science professionals iri this era?J

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THE CONCEPT OF ELECTRONICENVIRONMENT AND SER\~CES OFINFORMA TION PROFESSIONALS

INFORMATIONLffiRARY AND

LIBRARY AND INFORMA TION SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS AND SKILL SETS FOR THEELECTRONIC INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT .

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The electronic information environment connotes an environmentwhere the information resources are in electronic format and, are handled,processed, circulated and, communicated electronically. Sloan (1997) ascited by Kena (1998) stated that electronic information environment whichcan also be referred to as the "virtual environment" or "digitalenvironment" implies an information situation where collections are merelyin electronic formats with the technology needed to utilise and explorethem. The kind of resources ,usually found in this setting include; directaccess CD-ROMs, remote access online database, electronic journals,electronic books, digitized materials, and other Internet resources such asreports, proceedings, information from blogs and organisational websites,etc.

In the electronic environment, our role comprises at least three majorworking areas: We offer services for those users who want to be guided tothe most suitable information resources; we provide research assistance forthose who prefer to conduct searches themselves and only turn to librariansin case their repertoire of search and retrieval techniques did not lead tosatisfying results; and we closely collaborate with Information Technology

The abode of knowledge IS 111 transition mode from repositories toopen access. There are dramatic and drastic changes in acquisition,processing, storage and dissemination of information. Libraries have beensignificantly transformed with the advent of lntemet and the ability toprovide resources to' people who may never visit a physical building, butuse resources intensively in their own homes or work places. Libraries areadopting new means of technology in all activities of print to e-environment like printed library card catalogues have been replaced byOPAe with a variety of web-based graphical user interface (GUI)functions, online accessibility for 24/7, availability of numerous e-databases, e-journals, and other information resources and services forusers. To face the new information explosion, libraries will have to meeteven more challenges and opportunities to serve the varying range of users,all with many expectations and more demands triggered by the growth ofemerging and cutting edge technologies in the present informationenvironments. (Li, 2009).

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(IT) departments (Kena, 1998). These working areas encompass thefollowing aspects:

1. Information Access Provider: Librarians provide access to themost important information resources on the network, making useof current technologies (WWW and others). Electronic resourcesmust be organized in a logical, easily understandable manner,integrating existing systems documents and services that belonglogically together. The purpose of value-added services likesubject-oriented clearinghouses is "not only to save the researchertime and effort in searching for appropriate sources in the vastlyunordered, unstructured Internet, but also to provide him or herwith a pre-assessed, semi-ordered, annotated list of sites withactivatable links" (Rusch-Feja, 1997) which match or supplementthe targeted group's information needs. Libraries should not limitthemselves to using new technology for the automation of libraryfunctions but utilizing technology. for the enhancement ofinformation access and delivery of items not physically containedwithin the four walls of the library

2. Research Assistant: The second aspect of their role encompassesidentifying, locating and obtaining publications not owned orleased by the library. No resource, be it electronic or paper. can becalled "complete" today, and if we don't find particularinformation on the Internet, it does not mean that it doesn't exist. Itis the librarian's duty to know which additional sources can bequeried to make a search as complete as possible. Publications"not imbedded in a formal journal context" (Rusch-Feja, 1997) aswell as electronic equivalents to today's "grey literature" need tobe retrieved, which requires the librarian's experience in locatinginformation as well as technological skills. Research assistance inthis sense also includes helping users to become familiar withhandling new technologies. Various metjlOds for providing usersupport for networked library services can be developed, forinstance distance support (by telephone or e-mail), printed oronline manuals, and on-screen instructions. Face-to-face end-usertraining already has become an important part of librarians' work.

3. Collaborative System Designer: Librarians are in direct contactwith users of information re: .eval systems. Often users report

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difficulties which they encountered while using a system, or werecognize what needs to be redesigned while we are explaining asystem to our users. When IT departments design new data bases,application programs and user interfaces for us, librarians must be ableto explain precisely to them "how language works and how to uselayout, typography and design principles" in order to provide therequired functionality. The information flood can only be masteredwith appropriate tools that are capable of matching user needs with theavailable information, no matter \\ hether these tools will be operatedby librarians or users in the end.

Brophy (1998), wrote that "The electronic information environment ismore than just an agglomeration of darasets' hence, the function's in anelectronic information environment encompasses-

r: Access negotiation

? Resource capture, storage and (I2CeSS:,.. Advisory services, Resource discovery," Resource deliveryr:

~ Resource utilisationr: Infrastructure provision

~ Resource preservation

Although these functions are also Dart of the traditional informationenvironment. In the electronic enviro iment, they take on new levels ofcomplexity especially, when informat .on resources are no longer solelyowned by the library.

Besides the functions listed above. other services rendered in anelectronic information environment include categorisation, filtering,translating, publishing. information repackaging, assistance in findinginformation, user education. e-rnai' .nquiry services and electronicredistribution.

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Pinfield (2004) summarised the services, which he termed "roles ofelectronic information environment librarians", as follow:

• Multi-media user - being comfortable with a wide range offormats.

• Intermediary role - with a good knowledge of sources and userrequirements.

• Enabler - proactively connecting users with information theyrequire.

• Metadata producer - creating records of information sources in avariety of schemes.

• Communicator - formally and informally liaising with users.

• Team player - working with colleagues in library, IT services andacademics.

• Trainer I educator - taking on a formal role to teach informationskills and information literacy.

• Evaluator - sifting free and paid for resources on behalf of users.

• Negotiator - dealing with publishers and suppliers.

• Project manager - leading on development projects to enhance theservice.

• Innovator not just following the routine but also looking atimproved WD)" to deliver the service.

• Fund-raiser - working for greater income from the institution andbeyond.

In summary, Iihrarv and information science professionals are requiredin an electronic environment to function as database managers, userinterface designers, wcbsite creators and designers, information

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Skills are abilities or proficiencies required of a person in position toplan and execute an action geared at accomplishing some tasks orachieving some goals. The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English(1991) defined skill as "special ability to do something well, especially asgained by learning and practice". They are the learned capacity to carry outpre-determined tasks with the minimum outlay of time and energy.

LIBRARY AND INFORMA TION SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS AND SKILL SETS FOR THEELECTRONIC INFORMATION ENVIRO 'MENT

technologists, computer technologists, network managers, cataloguing andmetadata experts, project managers, digital archivists, etc.

SKILLS FOR THE LIS PROFESSIO JALS IN AN ELECTRONICE VIRONME T

The basic goal of library and information profession has always beenthe satisfaction of the information needs of the library users through theprovision of various forms of information resources. The activities aimed atactualising this goal have evolved and transformed over the years. In thepresent electronic environment, librarians are required to work bothindependently and as a team to deliver service-oriented and user-centeredapplications. instructions, programmes. projects and services. In addition togeneral traditional library educational qualification and requirements. acommitment to excellent user centered services. effective oral and writtencommunications. as well as team collaborator. librarians in the electronicinformation environment must also possess additional capabilities,experience, knowledge and skills. Such skills include:

• Expertise in the use of innovative emerging technologies to designand develop web-based applications. programmes and services.

• Assist users to locate. access. store and transform electronicinformation resources, services and, instructions across multipleapplications, databases, networks, platforms and systems.

• Having knowledge of designing. developing, launching andmaintaining of digital content management and assess. evaluate.recommend and test various methodologies. policies, and standardsfor utilizing computer software in the process of creating andpreserving digital collections and resources.

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• Assess, understand, think and adopt changes fit to the requiremen srather become blind follower of versatile technologicaldevelopments. (Li, 20!l9 as cited by Kumar, 2009).

Singh and Pinki (2009) categorised the skills required for electronicenvironment into three (3) broad groups. namely:

a) Generic skills.

b) Managerial skills and.

c) Professional ski lis.

Professional skills. which is the concern of this paper is further subdivided into:

i) Information technology skill:- this include hardware/ softwareand networking skills. presentation skill, library automation skill.database creation skill, general internet skills. intranet skill.networking skills, desktop publishing skill. content developmentand digitization skill. web based services and virtual learningski lis

ii) Information Literacy Skills: this has to do with the ability tolocate, evaluate and use effectively needed information.Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning andenables learners to master content and extend their investigationsto become more self- directed, thus assuming greater control overtheir own learning. Promoting information literacy. both formallyand informally. There has to be a concern of librarianship in thisera. This is not just for librarians in educational institutionsalone. It is also for special librarians in their day to day clientservice provision. And it is also very much for public librarians.

iii) Technical professional skills- such as. information resourcemanagement skill. system devEjlopment skill and. metadatastandards skill required to describe the content and attributes ofany particular item in the digital library.

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Rusch-Feja (!997) The role of librarians in the electronic environment.http://VI',,",,,'.eso.om/sci/1 ibraries/articl es/bits-and-bvtes/node J O.htm.Accessed on IS/03/] 0

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