The concept of Librarian 2.0 in Kuwaiti academic libraries

Abstract

Attempts have been made to explore the impact of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the entire gamut of the library and information sector and to conceptualise the transformation of conventional libraries into Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and Librarian 2.0, which will bring a changing scenario to the information industry. In the last few years, discussion and debate about the 'core competencies' needed by Librarian 2.0 have appeared in the academic environment. This investigation aims to identify the key skills, knowledge and attributes required by Librarian 2.0 in academic libraries in Kuwait. Twenty librarians from four academic libraries in Kuwait participated in a series of focus groups. The five themes discussed as being crucial to Librarian 2.0 include: communication, teamwork, technology, learning and education, and personal traits. This article provides a detailed discussion of each of these themes. The results show that in the age of Web 2.0 librarians in Kuwait academic libraries need more knowledge and awareness of communication and teamwork skills. Furthermore, they need to shift their attitude towards the concept of Librarian 2.0 by developing a clear understanding of the key factors that must be present in any Librarian 2.0. The study findings contribute to providing a framework towards the concept of Librarian 2.0 in academic libraries in the State of Kuwait. This framework will contribute to improving their awareness of and attitude to this topic in the future.

Marketing academic library information services using social media

“…Over the past three decades, libraries have embraced marketing to improve library services and create stronger contacts with the user community (Garoufallou, Siatri, Zafeiriou and Balampanidou, 2013;Garoufallou, Zafeiriou, Siatri and Balapanidou, 2013;Siddike et al, 2015) so as to increase library use, enhance the value and image of the library, provide user education, and change user perceptions (Al-Daihani and AlAwadhi, 2015). Library 2.0, which is a model for modern library services that focuses on user-centered change and participation, has significantly changed the types of interactions between libraries and their users (Ghuloum and Buabbas, 2016). Further, as technological developments have led to the increased use of internet services, academic libraries have begun to embrace social media to better engage with various community groups outside the physical library walls to ensure that resources and services are more accessible and user friendly (Harrison et al, 2017).…”

Effect of Adequacy of Information Resources on User Satisfaction at Pwani University Library

“…While new technologies have added value to library services by presenting new modes of collecting, storing, retrieving and providing information, they have also brought new challenges and aggravated some of the challenges that faced libraries before (Emmanuel and Sife, 2008). Ghuloum and Ahmed (2011) have indicated that several factors such as financial factors, technological factors, human factors and cultural factors may be a barrier in ensuring utilization of ICTs. These have included such factors as a lack of sufficient funds to support the purchase of the technology, lack of qualified library professionals, lack of motivation and need among librarians to adopt ICT in their daily operations (Ani et al, 2005;Starr, 2006).…”

Effect of Library Services on the User Satisfaction at Pwani University Library

“…Pwani University Library their various operations with information retrieval systems are being designed to suit the needs of end users as well as to simplify the process. The ICTs as used in academic libraries attempts to deliver numerous applications such as wide-area network applications, local area networks, online information services (the Internet), online databases, library databases, CD-ROMs, online access catalogues, retrieval networks, digital online archives, mainframe computers, microcomputer labs, and other digital content services (Ghuloum and Ahmed, 2011). With the advent of computers and telecommunications technologies, libraries and information services can now provide access to these resources through workstations such as personal computers (PCs) and terminals that are in patrons 'offices, as well as in the library building.…”

“…One of the major search engines Alta Vista has reported in 2008 that it has indexed 60 million Web pages. By 2012 the number of Web pages indexed by this search engine has leaped to more than 100 million (Ghuloum and Ahmed, 2011). Technology has resulted in convergence of two movements in the libraries affecting information access, namely: New forms of information; and new technologies that have transformed library holdings.…”