Sustainability: An Unintended Consequence of the Integration of Digital Curation Core Competencies into the MLIS Curricula

Abstract

The unprecedented expansion of the digital universe presents a dilemma for the digital curation profession: there is a need for professionals with skills and knowledge to provide long-term stewardship of digital assets, but education and training programs designed exclusively to prepare digital curators are inadequate to meet the demand. An infusion of digital curation competencies into the LIS curriculum will ensure that students pursuing related professions—including archivists, museum technicians, librarians, and conservators—are also prepared to serve as stewards of our digital treasure. The unintended consequence of this approach may well be the sustainability of Digital Curation courses and, therefore, Digital Curation curricula. This paper discusses the correlation between SJSU SLIS core competencies and Digital Curation core competencies and outlines the steps being taken as a result of this analysis to launch a Digital Curation Post Master’s Certificate program and provide a Digital Curation career pathway for MLIS students.