Looking Beyond the Pandemic: What's Next for Academic Librarians?

This paper reviews literature on the skills and competencies required by academic librarians in an Internet-driven environment. Content analysis methodology was used to review literature. Purposive sampling was also used for identifying literature on skills and competencies of librarians in the use of Internet services in academic libraries. A total of 118 publications were selected. Findings from the articles reviewed show that librarians from developed countries required skills and competencies in Internet usage to provide effective library services. However, the findings also show that academic librarians from developing countries, especially in Africa, are still lagging behind regarding Internet skills and competencies to provide effective information services in the library. The paper concludes that despite changes brought by the Internet, there are still gaps in the way library services are provided because of poor Internet knowledge, skills and competencies of academic librarians. The paper recommends that academic librarians in African countries acquire Internet skills and competencies to update their knowledge and technological skills for effective library service provision.

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Qualities of Academic Librarians Who Advance into Middle Management: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

Journal of Library Administration ◽

10.1080/01930826.2021.1924531 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Megan Hodge ◽

Nicole Spoor ◽

Cassidy Sheehan

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽

Middle Management ◽

Academic Librarians

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Less money, less children, and less prestige: Differences between male and female academic librarians

The Journal of Academic Librarianship ◽

10.1016/j.acalib.2021.102392 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 (5) ◽

pp. 102392

Author(s):

Nicole Eva ◽

Mê-Linh Lê ◽

John Sheriff

Keyword(s):

Academic Librarians ◽

Male And Female

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Academic Librarians and Campus-Wide Faculty Development: A National Survey

portal Libraries and the Academy ◽

10.1353/pla.2021.0015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 253-274

Author(s):

Karla Fribley ◽

Jason M. Vance ◽

Justin G. Gardner

Keyword(s):

Faculty Development ◽

National Survey ◽

Academic Librarians

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Extended and experimenting: library learning commons service strategy and sustainability

Library Management ◽

10.1108/lm-04-2016-0028 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (4/5) ◽

pp. 265-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jennifer Gunter King

Keyword(s):

Planning Process ◽

Academic Library ◽

Historical Review ◽

Academic Librarians ◽

Content Type ◽

Research Engagement ◽

Learning Commons ◽

Library Research ◽

The Commons

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share a compelling example of a library’s willingness to develop and design itself as an open-ended process. Design/methodology/approach – The case study provides a historical review of the library’s founding design, and an overview of the process and approach to redesign. The study contextualizes the library within current academic library research and literature. Findings – This paper explores the research, engagement and planning process behind the library’s exploration of new models and service configurations. The project was an engaged, inclusive, transparent, library-led process. The commons reestablishes the library as the “nerve center” of the campus. Originality/value – The paper offers an update to a 1969 report, and later book by Robert Taylor on the Harold F. Johnson Library at Hampshire College, designed as a prototype of an academic library. This paper will be of value to academic librarians, administrators, and historians.

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Academic librarians and research data services: preparation and attitudes

IFLA Journal ◽

10.1177/0340035212473089 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 70-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Carol Tenopir ◽

Robert J. Sandusky ◽

Suzie Allard ◽

Ben Birch

Keyword(s):

Research Data ◽

Academic Librarians ◽

Data Services

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Academic Librarians’ Attitudes about Advanced-Subject Degrees

College & Research Libraries ◽

10.5860/crl.66.1.59 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 59-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jennifer Mayer ◽

Lori J. Terrill

Keyword(s):

Job Performance ◽

Online Survey ◽

Institutional Culture ◽

Library Science ◽

Career Goals ◽

Academic Librarians ◽

Research Skills ◽

Terminal Degree

Academic librarians have various opinions on the importance of advanced-subject degrees in addition to a master’s in library science (MLS). The authors conducted an online survey to collect opinions from academic librarians on this topic. Arguments in favor of having advanced-subject degrees include development of research skills, credibility, and overall improved job performance. Arguments against it include the fact that the MLS is—and should continue to be—our terminal degree, inadequate salaries, and the validity of developing subject expertise via other means. The need for advanced-subject degrees may vary by many factors, including individual career goals and local institutional culture.

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Managing and accessing indigenous knowledge for national development: The role of academic libraries in Ghana

Information Development ◽

10.1177/02666669211009916 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026666692110099

Author(s):

Paulina Afful-Arthur ◽

Paulina Nana Yaa Kwafoa ◽

Matilda Ampah-Johnston ◽

Vida Mensah

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Literature Review ◽

Indigenous Knowledge ◽

Academic Libraries ◽

National Development ◽

Target Audience ◽

Academic Librarians ◽

Effective Management ◽

Collaborative Efforts

This paper is to examine the role academic libraries can play to organize and make indigenous knowledge accessible for national development. The target audience for the paper are academic librarians in Ghana, researchers of African studies in Ghana and other stakeholders. This is a qualitative study with data from interviews with the librarians and a desk-top literature review. Academic librarians in Ghana recognize the importance of indigenous knowledge organization, but little has been done by way of research. Most academic libraries in Ghana have the basic resources to manage indigenous knowledge. Academic librarians need to be proactive in their collaborative efforts to manage indigenous knowledge. Academic librarians in Ghana should be proactive towards effective management of indigenous knowledge, for easy accessibility. Again, academic libraries need to be well resourced to manage indigenous knowledge. Finally, academic libraries need to create awareness about the importance of indigenous knowledge using different media platforms to all stakeholders.

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