CHANGING ROLES OF LIBRARIES By Margaret Simeng UNIMAS Margaret Simeng
Dec 30, 2015
CHANGING ROLES OF LIBRARIESBy
Margaret Simeng
UNIMAS
Margaret Simeng
CHANGING ROLES OF LIBRARIES
“ Events within and outside higher education are changing our fundamental conceptions of the library as well as the very nature of the content and methodologies of learning sponsored by the institution. These changes could catapult the library into a central role within the teaching/learning enterprise if appropriate adaptations are made; if not they could further remove the library from the institutional center”
-Ralph A. Wolf, Executive Director Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges & Univ.Western Assoc. of Schools & Colleges
Margaret Simeng
CHANGING ROLES OF LIBRARIES
“Forging faculty/librarian partnerships will require new roles for librarians and a level of leadership and initiative that has not traditionally been asserted or recognised within the institution beyond the orb of the library itself. Librarians will need to become and be seen by members of the faculty and administration as educational leaders and innovators, and not just as custodians of the institution’s print media.”
Ralph A. WolfMargaret Simeng
Are Libraries and Librarians Still
RELEVANT?
Margaret Simeng
LIBRARIES IN THE INFORMATION AGE
According to the Consortium for Educational Technology for University Systems (C.E.T.U.S.), libraries of the future will offer:
STRUCTURE• Carefully selected and well- organised
collections in all formats• Networked electronic information resources
Margaret Simeng
LIBRARIES IN THE INFORMATION AGE
…….Cont• Materials for self-paced learning• Programs that support new ways of teaching
and delivering information resources• A commitment to preservation and access for
print, electronic and other formats• An infrastructure that supports instruction of
all types of users in meeting their information needs
Margaret Simeng
LIBRARIES IN THE INFORMATION AGE …
ContSERVICE• Creative and flexible approaches that focus on
services• Skilled staff • Librarians who participate actively in the teaching
and learning activities of the university• Collaborative relationships in both public and
private settings, both local and international
Margaret Simeng
LIBRARIES IN THE INFORMATION AGE- …
ContSUBSIDY
• Equitable access to information
• Funding support from various sources
• Focus on partnerships for grant preparation, program planning and demonstration projects
Margaret Simeng
Are We Ready To Change?
Are We Keeping Pace With Change?
WHY?Margaret Simeng
Paradigm shift in Library Work
Before Present
Preservation of Document - Use of Document
Store house of Document -24x7 Service Center
Process Oriented Service -User Oriented Service
Limited Service -Broad Service
Reactive Service Provider -Proactive Service Provider
Information Gatherer -Information Analyst
Individual Work -Team Work
Traditional Library -The Learning Center
Case Study-Indian Institute of Management Indore(IIMI)Margaret Simeng
CHALLENGES FACING THE LIBRARIANS
1. Content-centered to Learner-centered
2. One-time Learning to Life-long learning
3. Industrial age mindset to Information age mindset
4. Online access
5. Individual Learning to Collaborative learning
6. Competition
7. Changing & Turbulent Environment
8. Rapidly Changing TechnologyMargaret Simeng
CHANGING ROLES OF LIBRARIANS…Cont
• Creator/Disseminator• Educator• Expert/Advocate/Advisor• Collaborator• Information Literate• Life Long Learner• Innovator• Communicator• Negotiator• Information Specialist• Information Marketer Margaret Simeng
WHO ARE AFFECTED ?
• Librarians
• Paraprofessionals and
• Other support staff
Margaret Simeng
COMPETENCIES OF LIBRARIANS?
Why?
Margaret Simeng
Competencies expected OF LIBRARIANS…Cont
• Traditional Librarianship Skills• Value-adding Skills• IT Skills• Transferable & Soft Skills• Entrepreneurship• Appropriate Attitudes , Values & Personal Traits• Domain Knowledge( Subject Knowledge)
AP Dr Christopher Soo-Guan Khoo: Competencies for new era Librarians & Information Professionals
Margaret Simeng
Competencies expected OF LIBRARIANS…Cont
• Traditional Librarianship Skills
• Information Management
• IT-related Skills
• Communication Skills
• Social/Community Skills
• Transferable/generic Skills
• Attitudes & Personal Traits
• Domain Knowledge( Subject Knowledge)
• Management & Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
Lib & Info Science Abstracts (LISA) 2000-2004
Margaret Simeng
COMPETENCIES EXPECTED
Motivating Ability Effective Communication
Negotiating Ability Team Work
Information Literacy Analytical & Evaluative
Creative Cooperation Skills
Presentation & Teaching Skills Knowledge Management
Technical/IT Skills Consultation/Collaboration
Commitment to Service Management Technique
Conceptual
Marketing Ability
Good ListenerMargaret Simeng
Do We Have the Competencies
Expected of Us??
Margaret Simeng
Are skills sufficient for current needs?
Margaret SimengACU Libraries & Info Network Survey 2008
Keeping Pace With Change
Margaret SimengACU Libraries & Info Network Survey 2008
Are Librarians Still RELEVANT??
Margaret Simeng
Librarians : Still Relevant???
Margaret Simeng
To remain relevant, we need to:
• Be open nimble, participative, responsive & user-centric
• Learn to learn & adapt to change
• Cooperate : share ideas, experience & innovations
• Dare to change years long practice
Dr Sohair F. Wastawy
Chief Librarian, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Pro-Active vs Re-Active??
Margaret Simeng
Pro-Active Librarian
Margaret Simeng
• Learns the users’ language
• Understands their concerns
• Is part of the team
• Offers solutions before they are requested
• Is the acknowledged expert in handling information
• Believes in libraries as agent of civilisation
& progress
Peter Brophy (2007)
What Should We Do??Key Strategic Areas
• Skills & Expertise of Human Capital
• Knowledge Resources
• Services
• Smart Partnerships
• Physical Environment
• Quality Management
Margaret Simeng
What Should We Do??Market research
• Identify specific research areas of user-library interaction and relations
• Conduct and review users' feedback and satisfaction surveys
• Monitor users' perception of the Library
Margaret Simeng
What Should We Do??…Cont
Marketing Programs
• Develop marketing plans for new and existing library resources and services
• Manage promotional programs to enhance the image of the Library and encourage its use to enhance the image of the Library and encourage its use
Margaret Simeng
What Should We Do??…Cont
Creating awareness
• Develop publicity and promotional programmes to create awareness of library services and resources and to sustain users' interest over time
• Coordinate and manage library exhibition events
• Host professional visitors of the LibraryMargaret Simeng
What Should We Do??…Cont
User relations
• Establish and manage feedback channels
• Coordinate networking with student organizations, faculties and external professional bodies
• Coordinate outreach programmes to the University alumni and friends of the Library
• Form smart partnerships with Centres of Excellence
Margaret Simeng
What Should We Do??…Cont
Publicity materials
• Develop a range of library publicity materials and marketing collaterals
• Manage the production of bulletins/newsletters to update users on the library resources and services
Margaret Simeng
Factors Influencing Success, Relative Importance
Margaret SimengACU Libraries & Info Network Survey 2008
In Short What Should We Do??
Be Creative & Innovate
Margaret Simeng
Thank You
Margaret Simeng