Skill and Attitudes towards the Digital Library Environment: A Study of Information Professionals in the Government Polytechnic College Libraries in Kerala

Abstract

Information professionals will require more extensiveness and strength of knowledge and skills across the extent of traditional library knowledge. This study was conducted to observe the skills and attitudes of Information Professionals towards the digital library environments of Government Polytechnic College Libraries in Kerala. The study comprises all the Information Professionals, working in the Government Polytechnic Colleges in Kerala. There are 43 Government Polytechnic Colleges in Kerala. The study was based on a questionnaire survey of Information professionals employed in the Government Polytechnic College Libraries in Kerala. The study identified the skill, knowledge and attitudes required by librarians for the emerging digital library environment. The study reveals that the majority of information professionals are well aware of the ICT skills required for working in the Polytechnic Colleges Libraries. The study also reveals the problems associated with the updating of their skills and strategies to be used for updating their skills. The study proposes for formulating common standards for Polytechnic College Libraries for the better performance of such libraries.