Librarians and breaking barriers to information literacy

Abstract

Purpose -This paper reports on a descriptive study undertaken to gain an overview of library and Information workplace needs (as of early 2002) for library professionals with knowledge and skills related to user education and information literacy instruction. Design/methodology/approach -A description and discussion of a small-scale research project that used content analysis techniques to study job advertisements posted to the international LIBJOBS listserv over a period of three months. Findings -A little over half of the advertisements required at least some experience of and/or skills in user education or instruction of some kind.Research limitations/implications -The analyses reported in this paper were carried out early in 2002. However, more recent literature, and more recent research reported elsewhere, indicate that the findings remain valid. Practical implications -The findings of the study, and recent literature, indicate that skills associated with user education and information literacy instruction are important in today's libraries. Originality/value -The paper focuses on demonstrable employer and workplace requirements for the LIS professional, rather than abstract formulations and discusses the resultant implications for librarians' continuing professional development and workplace learning.

Information Literacy Instruction Determining the Place of Library Professionals

“…In short, library professionals have to work as negotiator for what the user needs and how can he get it. While instructional abilities of librarians are seen and tested for some library related job position in other countries 68 , Indian libraries are yet to be prepared for the same. Essentially, the main challenge to librarians has been to utilise digital technology with resources 69 .…”