Re-engineering LIS education to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin J.C. Mole ◽  
Chibuzo L. Dim ◽  
Millie N. Horsfall
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Ict Skills ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Industrial Needs ◽  
Library Profession ◽  
Ict Competencies

The aim of this paper is to examine the concept and characteristics of library and information science (LIS) vis-à-vis knowledge societies, and the emerging ICT skills in librarianship for knowledge societies. In addition, the study recommends strategies for enhancing the training of LIS professionals to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies. The researcher employed conceptual framework and critical examination to explore the concept of re-engineering LIS education, the state of LIS education and the requirements for meeting industrial needs for knowledge societies. There is a need to review the content and method of LIS education to inject more ICT content and approaches. If implemented, this will open up new avenues not only for the user community but also for the library profession. LIS constitutes a key factor in creating, developing and maintaining knowledge societies. To be able to achieve this, LIS education must equip library and information professionals with relevant ICT competencies. Consequently, there is need for re-engineering of LIS education in the area of methods and content of training for the LIS profession so as to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies. The value of this study lies in its exposition of the contemporary industrial needs and expectations of LIS education especially in the area of information and communication technology.

Interpretative phenomenological analysis for LIS research

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy VanScoy ◽  
Solveig Beyza Evenstad
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Phenomenological Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Information Professionals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview and evaluation of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) for the library and information science (LIS) community, as this method has only recently been used for exploring experiences of various phenomena related to LIS. Design/methodology/approach – IPA is discussed within the phenomenological tradition. Two examples of recent IPA studies are examined in parallel to show application of the IPA method. Issues and challenges of applying IPA to LIS research questions are discussed. Findings – IPA is an alternative phenomenological method, adding to the repertoire of qualitative methods used for LIS research. It was an effective method for exploring experience among information professionals: it was equally suitable for studying reference and information service work for academic library professionals and burnout experience for information and communication technology workers. Originality/value – Only a few LIS studies have used IPA and no discussion or evaluation of the method has been published for this field. This paper provides a discussion of the method for LIS researchers interested in this emerging phenomenological method.

Information and communication technology skills among library and information science professionals: A predictor of enhanced library services

2020 ◽  
pp. 096100062096216
Author(s):  
Shamshad Ahmed ◽  
Arslan Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Information Retrieval ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Ict Skills ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Information And Communication

The purpose of this study is to measure the information and communication technology (ICT) skills of library and information science professionals considering it as a predictor of enhanced library services. The study also finds out which ICT skill is the best predictor for better library services. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from librarians at university libraries in Punjab, Pakistan. Four constructs – computer skills, information storage skills, information retrieval skills and online utility software skills – were taken as the independent variables and a construct measuring library performance was taken as the dependent variable. After checking all assumptions, a multiple regression was run to predict the dependent variable from the independent variables. Further, comparison among the independent variables was made to check the level of contribution towards library performance. The regression model shows that the explanatory power of ICT skills for enhanced library services is slightly high, which indicates that a higher level of ICT competency among librarians is important for enhanced library services. Furthermore, the beta coefficient illustrates that the contribution of information retrieval skills towards enhanced library services was relatively high compared with the three other ICT skills. The study concludes that ICT skills are a prerequisite for better library services and the professional development of librarians.

scholarly journals The Initial Training of Librarians and Curators in France: A National Mission

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-79
Author(s):  
Nathalie Marcerou-Ramel
Keyword(s):  
European Country ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Professional Communities ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Initial Training ◽  
National Library ◽  
National School ◽  
Science School ◽  
Information Professionals

AbstractFrance is probably the only European country to have today a national school for training of library and information professionals: Enssib, National Library and Information Science School. An atypical situation, as some countries decided to close their schools of librarianship and entrust the training of their professionals to universities only. How does Enssib train its library executives? The article first describes the recruitment, training and exercise framework for French library and information professionals. Then it focuses on the vast renovation project that Enssib has been launching for four years in order to adapt its training processes to the needs and expectations of the professional communities.

Leading with love and hospitality: applying a radical pedagogy to LIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole A. Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Management ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Ethnographic Case Study ◽  
Radical Pedagogy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to suggest that classroom instructors should reflect and revise their pedagogy to lead a classroom designed to produce future information professionals who will be prepared to serve their communities in a radical way. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the literature related to radical and humanizing pedagogies and then features an auto ethnographic case study which details how the author implemented some of the strategies. Findings Formal study of pedagogy can improve the library and information science (LIS) teaching and learning process. Practical implications Examining pedagogy in a formal way yields concrete suggestions for improving classroom management and content delivery. Social implications Using a radical pedagogy can improve relationships between teachers and learners, and learners will be able to model the classroom strategies in their own professional practice. Originality/value The study builds upon current examples of radical practice in the field and examines how such practices can be instilled even earlier in LIS graduate classrooms.

The use of bibliographic management software by Indian library and information science professionals

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shri Ram ◽  
John Paul Anbu K.
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Management Software ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dissemination Of Research ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Library Professionals

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to have a closer look at the awareness of referencing utilities among the library professionals in India. In a research environment, referencing and bibliography play an important role in the dissemination of research findings through scholarly writings. Citing references while writing scholarly articles has become more eloquent mainly due to the availability of a range of bibliography management utilities. Currently, there are various types of Bibliography Management Software (BMS) available for the management of the citation, referencing and compiling bibliographies. Librarians have a crucial role to play in helping the faculty, students and research scholars in the process of writing their scholarly articles and theses, especially in the area of referencing. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted through an online survey with an aim to assess the perception, awareness and use of BMS by the Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in India. Findings – In the academic environment, published results of research findings are crucial for the advancement of knowledge. The published research findings are often supported and disputed using the citation of previous studies. There are a number of supporting technologies that are intended to help in procuring needed citations and streamlining them for better research output. The role of the librarian in this endeavor is undisputed. This study shows that there is a need for strengthening the awareness of BMS at the institutional level and also hands-on experience is needed for library professionals to help in the process of research writing and advocate for adopting correct referencing style (citation style) while writing scholarly articles. Practical implications – The increased use of information and communication technology in the process of scholarly writing, especially in the search and retrieval of relevant articles and the availability of electronic journals and books, have resulted in an increased number of research articles being written by research scholars. The downside to this overflow of scholarly and creative writing is the incorrect way of using referencing style in the dissemination of research and the possibilities of malpractice and plagiarism. This study will help in creating awareness of the utility of citation and BMS in content writing, especially among library and information professionals, as they play an important role in facilitating research. Social implications – This study will be beneficial for the LIS professionals in understanding the effectiveness of their services when complemented by the use of technology-powered tools. Creating awareness of the use of BMS in content development in scholarly communication promises to create a flawless scholarly output as library professionals will help researchers in guiding research writings with correct referencing and citation. Originality/value – Use of BMS helps in the development of content in an organized, methodical and scientific way. The role of library and information professionals working with different researchers and scholars in advocating and practicing the use of BMS will go a long way in creating more streamlined content.

scholarly journals Content analysis of European library and information science journals

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
Yuliia Shevtsova ◽  
Hanna Shemaieva
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Interdisciplinary Communication ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Information And Communication

Content analysis of 28 library and information science journals of the leading European countries has been conducted in the context of the current research. The thematic focus of these journals has been the priority of the research. Several thematic groups of library and information science journals have been identified. They include the journals that cover the following topics related to: 1) digital information; 2) development of information and communication technologies and their application in library practice; 3) library and information with the key topic of library and information management; 4) various types of communication. The conclusion has been made that scholarly interdisciplinary communication is expanding in the context of information society development. The analysis provides means for taking into account the trends in the leading European countries that help to evaluate and compare the performance of Ukrainian libraries and increase the level of professional knowledge and communication of library and information science professionals.

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

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 37-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgenia Vassilakaki ◽  
Valentini Moniarou-Papaconstantinou
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Technology Specialists ◽  
Shed Light

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.

Extent of Job Enlargement in University Libraries in Kerala: An Investigative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
A. Naseer ◽  
B. Mini Devi
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
State University ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The University

Rapid changes in information and communication technology require application of managerial techniques, human resource management and integration of several technologies in library and information Centers. The present research aims at studying the extent of job enlargement in selected eight state university libraries in Kerala. Data of the study was gathered from a total of 266 qualified and permanent library and information science professionals. Analysis of data was done using SPSS and Micro Soft excel. The important finding of the research is that there is no significant level of job enlargement among library and information science professionals. It also finds that job enlargement situation of libraries in the universities in Kerala is low and different. The study reveals that there is significant variation in the level of job enlargement among the university libraries in Kerala. The highest level of job enlargement is found in Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady followed by Kannur University.

Knowledge Economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 442-457
Author(s):  
Ogochukwu Thaddaeus Emiri
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Intellectual Capital Management ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Great Relevance ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
The Relationship

Intellectual capital is now widely recognized as key factor in organization success and as such is of relevance to libraries. Intellectual capital management, therefore, is of great relevance to library and information professions. However, the wider ramification of the relationship between intellectual capital management (ICM), knowledge management (KM), and library and information science (LIS) is yet to be properly exploited by LIS professionals. Without doubt, there is a dynamic and multi-faceted relationship. This chapter introduces key aspects of this relationship, and in particular potential synergies, conflicts in literature, pre-requisites for ICM implementation in libraries and challenges faced by the library and information professions. In the light of this, the author concluded that LIS professionals must see KM and ICM as an integral part of librarianship. More so, in order for LIS professionals to properly implement ICM practices, there is the need to acquire new management skills, strategic and policy-making skills, and have in-depth experience in the management of information. Finally, from the author's perspective, the success of ICM and KM in library organizations would require strong leadership and vision from top administration, which will influence the organization's sharing efforts as a culture.

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