Prof. Pravakar RathHead, Department of Library and Information ScienceMizoram University, Aizawl-796004E-mail; dlis_mzu@rediffmail.com

NACLIN-2011

16th November 2011

Knowledge or brain power is more powerful than economic and military power,

ICT- Major driving force behind,Libraries as gateways to knowledge,

Automation,Networking and Consortia,Digital Library,Content development,Preservation and Management of

Digital Resources,

E-learning,Open Access and Open source, Information Literacy,Knowledge Management Institutional/Knowledge Repository,

Library Professionals to Information/Knowledge Professionals

Traditional Library to Digital Library Library Cooperation to Resource Sharing

Networks/Consortia Collection Development to Content

Development Conventional Learning to E-Learning Educational Literacy to Information Literacy Information Society to Knowledge Society National Knowledge Commission- “Libraries

as Gateways to Knowledge”

Libraries Today-Open Source, Open Access and Open Libraries,

Information Resources-Collection and Organisation responding to users’ needs,

Connection-Providing access whether local or remote on the web,

Learner-focused-Responding to the information needs of the users,

Networked-Linked to global resources and working with partners,

Accessible-Easy to use, offering help and support, Dynamic-A Catalyst , inspiring and encouraging

enjoyment and discovery, Current –Reflecting today’s communities in providing

latest information.

National Knowledge Commission (2007) while recommending the role of libraries as “gateways to knowledge” emphasized the skills required to fulfill the changing role of libraries as follows.

Library and information handling skills Service orientation ICT knowledge skills Communication and training skills Marketing and presentation skills Understanding of cultural diversity Knowledge mapping skills.

Technological Skills Working with sophisticated Technologies

(Hardware and Software), Design and Development of new

electronic services, Content Management (Content Creation,

Content Delivery, Content Processing), Website and Intranet Management, Metadata Standards, Mark up

Languages, Imaging Technologies, OCR, Information Literacy,

Management SkillsPreservation of print and e-resources, Leadership-innovative ideas and

vision,Time Management,Crisis Management,Marketing of Library and Information

Services,Customer oriented/ Value Added

Services,

Communication SkillsThe ability to exchange feelings, ideas and information with others in appropriate manner. Communication consists of the two key aspects of oral and written skills. Oral communication involves using the human voice to effectively articulate a message to an intended audience. Written communication involves using text or graphics to effectively transmit a message to an intended audience.

Capacity building through skills and competencies of library and information professionals is a major challenge. The library and information professionals have to recognize and understand the broad context of the information environment, demonstrated by the ability to:

understand and interpret the contexts in which information is originated, stored, organised, retrieved, disseminated and used;

comprehend the legal and policy issues that are associated with,

visualise future directions and prepare a roadmap to provide the most effective and efficient library and information services to the users in the 21st century.

(i) Information seeking understand and investigate how information is

effectively sought and utilised; identify and investigate information needs and

information seeking behaviour of the users community.

(ii) Information Infrastructure understand the importance of information

architecture to determine the structure, design and flows of information;

forecast, plan, facilitate and evaluate appropriate resource management to library and information services.

(iii) Information Organisation enable information access and use through

systematic and user-centred description, categorisation, storage, preservation and retrieval.

(iv) Information Access provide and promote free and equitable

access to information and client services; facilitate the acquisition, licensing or

creation of information in a range of media and formats.

(v) Information services, sources and products design and deliver customised information services

and products; assess the value and effectiveness of library and

information facilities, products and services; market library and information services; identify and evaluate information services, sources

and products to determine their relevance to the information needs of users;

use research skills to provide appropriate information to clients.

(vi) Information literacy understand the need to develop information skills of

the user community; facilitate the development of information literacy and

the ability to critically evaluate information.

Ethical, Legal and Social ResponsibilityEthical and legal considerations arise in the storage, processing, retrieval and use of information and information systems. Further ethical and social responsibility relate to an awareness of the need for and commitment to the maintenance of high professional standards and social justice.

Critical Thinking The ability to reach conclusions through reflection and evaluation by applying independent thought and informed the judgement.

Problem-solving SkillsThe ability to find effective solutions to problems through creative reasoning.

Ability to build partnerships and alliances (Public Private Partnership)Ability to develop knowledge infrastructure and knowledge resources with funding support and collaboration with outside organisations.

 Effective team relationship skills Team work is the ability to work effective with others in a group with the view to achieve the defined goals. The team leader makes a productive contribution to the collaborative efforts of the group by providing guidance to ensure desired goals are met.

Self management skills Self management is the willingness and ability to develop a matured and balance understanding of self .

 Commitment to life-long learning The ability to learn how to learn in all facets of life ( professional , personal and educational)

Knowledge Resource- Principle strategic resource of a nation,

Developing Knowledge Infrastructure, Knowledge Professional- Need for multi-skills to

meet the demand of the job market, Digital Library- Access adoption of formats and

standards, content creation and management, copyright and IPR are the constant challenges for library and information professionals,

Schools of Library and Information Studies to Revamp the Education and Training and Emphasis on Practical Application of ICT,

Skills and competencies to be compatible with changing national and global job market.

Thank You All