ICT Skills for LIS Professionals

ICT Skills of Library Professionals:

The new generation academic librarians grow up with the electronic online environment, which is ubiquitous in their daily lives. The flexibility of younger academic librarians is more for technology-oriented services compared to their older colleagues, not interested in stereotyped librarianship, more interested in technology-enabled services (Emanuel, 2013). Playing with digital video or video games is more than traditional games, using and connected with friends through email, instant messaging and social networking (Gordon, 2006). Youngsters use technology to listen to music, read books, to take pictures and online shopping (Johnson, 2006) According to Bosque & Lampert, 2009, the two categories of new librarians are as follows.

a. Who has a high level of technical experience, usually from a previous job in a technology-related industry,
b. Those who struggle with technology

For those who struggle with technology they wish their library school had more hands-on opportunities for technology instruction instead of teaching theoretical applications like:

• Dreamweaver
• Adobe Photoshop
• Computer Networking
• Content Management Systems (CMS)
• File Management Issues
• Image Editing/Scanning
• Integrated Library Systems-Back End N/A
• Linux/Unix
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• PowerPoint
• Relational Databases
• Server Set Up/Maintenance
• Video Editing
• Adobe Flash
• Computer Hardware
• Computer Security
• Course Management Systems (Blackboard, Moodle, etc.)
• HTML > Information Architecture
• Integrated Library Systems-Front End N/A
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Windows
• Mobile Devices
• Programming Languages (C++, .Net, etc.)
• Screen Capture Software (Camtasia, Captivate, etc.)
• Video Conferencing
• Web 2.0 (RSS, Blogs, Social Networking, Wikis, etc.)
• Web Programming Languages
• Dreamweaver
• Adobe Flash
• XML

However, challenges in managing information resources in the digital age are leveraging the capability of digital technologies. Application and use of the leading technology are not just for disseminating information, it is more of aligning our libraries and librarianship with the activities and achievements of users. It is already known that educational-content is getting enriched by locally maintained digital repositories, and thereby creates a network of contributors in the field. Many other technologies are enabling libraries users to reusing and enriching content. In fact, libraries are known for aggregating and repackaging of content, keeping users need into consideration. Even the research support systems have come out with many tools, techniques, methods, process, and services to enable researcher.

In this digital age, whether older or younger librarians, it is high time to acquire knowledge of appropriate electronic tools, technique, and technology. Many librarians are in need to undergo training of basic use of digital technology, some need. (ICT Skills)

For citing this article use:

• Anand, R. (2018). Capacity Building of Library Professionals in the Digital Environment A Study of Universities of Karnataka State. Karnatak University. Retrieved from: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/224971