Linking Library Profession and the Market Place: Finding Connections for the Library in the Digital Environment

Abstract

The fast-paced changing information environment calls for continual development of libraries and information institutions to cope with the changes of the digital environment. To ensure this, there is a need to understand the current employment trends to identify the competencies and skills required of professionals. The advent of information and communication technology (ICT) has created a real paradigm shift in Library operations so information professionals are working at the leading edge of the internet and the web technology; leading to more web-based services. Moreover, the digital environment is reshaping the whole context within which information is being generated, processed, and delivered through online networks. This has strategic significance for library professionals in facing the challenges of this ever-changing information environment in which ICT is the major source for survival and development. This is having a direct impact on library development; a development which is reflected in the literature as required by the emerging market place. The inevitable consequences for professionals are to be equipped with the necessary skills, traits and competencies applicable to the cyber environment to meet the demands of the ever changing job market. The paper identifies the characteristics required of library and information (LIS) workers to serve the expanding and changing information market of the 21st century, as reflected in job announcements posted on the listserv of the IFLA from January to October 2014 to create a synergy between the profession and the current employment trends. A sample set of 259 job advertisements posted by academic, public and special libraries are selected and are grouped in four categories these are: 1. Technology-based positions with 48.71% of the advertisements. 2. Public/information services skills listed by 22.87% of the openings. 3. Technical services skills scored 18.64% of the available jobs. 4. Personal attributes are mentioned in 9.74% positions. Most positions are available in Academic libraries.