The Librarian: Vol, 3 Issue, 3, 2016

THE LIBRARIANS
Vol:03 No:03 2016
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caretakers of the book collection. In 21 Century, libraries turn into information resource centres and
librarians are using modern hi-tech information and communication technologies extensively, so to be called
Information Professional. The responsibilities and role of librarian has not only been changed rather
enhanced. Now information professionals are responsible to organize and run information literacy
programmes for student and faculty to support their curriculum and enhance the research environment.
Wijetunge states, “Information literacy has been de ined as “the ability to identify, locate, evaluate,
organize, and effectively create, use and communicate information to address an issue or a problem.”Higher
Education Commission and university authorities have been providing funds and other resources, HEC Digital
Library, to provide print and online resources to faculty members, students, and researchers. However, there is
a serious need to improve understanding of the most effective way to make these sources accessible and useful.
Ameen writes that “Information professionals are thought to have a key role in helping users to improve their
ability to ind and use information.”
Communication has a great importance in providing better services to users. Librarian communicates the
value of library service to decision makers, staff and users. When he provides information to the user he must
communicate clearly and respectfully with the community. Always Demonstrates active listening skills with
students and faculty in his workplace.
Competencies required for Information Professional.
Information professional should possess a different skills, depending on the organization in which he is
employed.
Ÿ Computer literate, the ability to translate library services into the online medium.
Ÿ Being a team head or library manager or information professional, he should know computer-based
procedures (Library software) being used in his campus, to facilitate practical bibliographical work
and thereby improve the technical ef iciency of a library.
Ÿ Well aware about searching techniques and strategies
Ÿ Familiar with online databases
Ÿ Should know how to evaluate online resources
Ÿ Have knowledge about bibliographic tools, such as Endnote
Ÿ Know how to avoid plagiarism while writing scienti ic paper
Ÿ Have ability to address the information needs of clients (student and faculty)
Ÿ Some soft skills like communication (oral and written) skill, language pro iciency, (having command
to present his thought) and time management to deal the customer quires.
Ÿ Being team head, information profession (librarian) has embodied the professional and
administrative skills in be itting manners.
Ÿ Must exercise a unique set of skills, became an innovative and creative professional.
Role of Information Professional in Degree Awarding Institutes
Libraries play very important role in the degree awarding educational organization. University bears the
responsibility of making sure that their community; students, faculty, researchers, and staff have access to
scholarly work, especially the books, journals, video tutorials and other reference materials that have
relevance to their curricula and academic programme. It is integral part of the duty of information professional
to evaluate, acquire, organize and share information in all formats, print and digital.Information
professional can provide comprehensive research services, utilizing a plenty of online resources through
conducting information literacy sessions. These sessions can change and make the student a lifelong
learner.The effective and ef icient provision of information services, can improve the quality of teaching,
learning and research. Information professionals are committed to deliver reliable, accurate, and up to
date information to their community. Information professional is like market manager, its prime aim to
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