A systematic literature review informing library and information professionals’ emerging roles

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the specific roles information professionals have adopted in the past 14 years. It aims to identify the roles reported in the literature concerning developments in the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted the method of systematic review. Searches were conducted in February and March 2014 on different LIS databases. From a total of 600 papers, 114 were selected, based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. A thorough full-text analysis of the papers revealed six roles that librarians have adopted: teachers, technology specialists, embedded librarians, information consultants, knowledge managers and subject librarians. Findings – New and evolving roles were identified, mainly in the context of academic libraries. Librarians’ educational responsibilities and their active involvement in the learning and research process were highlighted in all role categories identified. Collaboration among faculty and librarians was reported as a way of ensuring successful instruction. Librarians’ personal views of their new and emerging roles were more frequently reported; further research is needed to shed light on academics, students and other users’ perceptions of librarians’ engagement in the learning process. Research limitations – The study considered only peer-reviewed papers published between 2000 and 2014 in English. It focused on information professionals’ roles and not on librarians’ skills and their changing professional responsibilities. Originality/value – This review paper considers the development of the LIS profession in a changing environment and offers an understanding of the future direction of the LIS profession.

Strategic Engagement: New Models of Relationship Management for Academic Librarians

“…Studies of existing relationships imply that partnership is both a powerful input and output of librarians' relationships with academics; Hardy & Corrall (2007) found that a partnership (or 'consulting') approach leads to the most effective communication; Webb et al (2007) felt that effective professional support leads to academics perceiving librarians as "counsel, colleague and critical friend" (p144). Vassilakaki & Moniarou-Papaconstantinou (2015), in a systematic review of emerging librarian roles, identify multiple roles ('embedded librarian', 'information consultant') which develop such partnership approaches.…”

Choice of Library and Information Science in a rapidly changing information landscape

“…This finding is in line with Hallmark and Lembo (2003). This might be attributed to the public's lack of awareness of LIS as a possible educational choice Choice of Library and Information Science and misunderstanding of the roles and responsibilities of information professionals ( Jones, 2010;Vassilakaki and Moniarou-Papaconstantinou, 2015) (see Figure 9). Hallmark and Lembo (2003) addressed a different population, scientists and explored the reasons why they decided to change careers and pursue the LIS discipline.…”

La formation du professionnel d’aujourd’hui et de demain : tout un défi!

“…Et voilà peut-être le plus grand défi auquel doivent se mesurer les formateurs en SI! On trouve dans la littérature professionnelle et scientifique des 15 dernières années un grand nombre d'articles et de monographies portant sur les caracté-ristiques et les compétences attendues du nouveau professionnel; Vassilakaki et Moniarou-Papaconstantinou (2015) en ont repéré près de 600 et utilisé 114 pour prépa-rer la plus récente synthèse publiée sur le sujet.…”