ABSTRACT: All modern libraries are facing new challenges due to the immense amount of available information in
form of electronic tools. The traditional libraries should be transformed into hybrid libraries focused on providing
information collected in the form of books and electronic sources to survive and meet the need of end users. With the
development of the modern information technology the traditional libraries have not been fit on the requirement of
the information time and knowledge economic development, so these face the basic changes and innovation. In this
paper authors emphasize the role of librarians in libraries which have collection in form of e–books, digital
documents and various databases and common access to the Internet. Modern libraries are creating the society of
knowledge and in these modern libraries a librarian works as information officer who is a guide to help search the
relevant information in numerous sources of information. The librarians are constantly open to any changes in their
field and eager to improve their skills and knowledge. The importance of personality traits of a modern librarian are
particularly emphasized.
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55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010
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of condensed data, an information expert such tied to creating a social conviction that
as a librarian is required to access the libraries are a necessary link allowing the user
information. The tools and resources used to to realize even the most advanced information
supply required information and transform it needs. This can take place by evoking in the
into knowledge are changed but the librarian’s reader the idea that he is important,
role has remained unchanged. Especially now, approached individually and professionally. In
it seems necessary to reflect upon the a consumption–oriented world, the role of
characteristics of a modern librarian that information has equal importance as that of
would best serve all users. Therefore, the any other need in a contemporary individual’s
librarian is indispensable in the era of the life.
information society.
Readers may or may not be aware of their
In Information Society modern libraries could information needs. The role of a librarian
be compared to information malls. Moving consists in comforting the users and
around them can cause certain difficulties. A supporting them so that they can overcome
very common phenomenon is that of “library their own fears about being in the library. To
anxiety,” mainly observed in higher education make a user friendly image of libraries and
institutions where users feel uncomfortable librarian, it is essential to adopt individual
about their level of knowledge. The obstacle is approaches to different types of customers,
fear of embarrassing oneself when asking often including special–needs or elderly users
elementary questions, or getting a negative who possibly may be unable to utilize the new
feedback from a librarian. Another is a lack of technologies. The knowledge of psychology
computer proficiency, which renders searching pertaining to customer service is extremely
superficial and incomplete and makes one feel important in the process of the librarians’ in–
uncomfortable ad lightly unconfident in the service training.
environment. Therefore, one can obviously
conclude that the librarian is an irreplaceable INFORMATION LITERACY AND
link. In a full self service library, which has a LIBRARIANS
remote information section and a cyber
Information literacy is “the ability to recognize
librarian, from which one can obtain necessary
the need for information and to identify,
information at any time, there is a librarian,
locate, access, evaluate and effectively use the
who indirectly participates in the process of information to address and help resolve
searching for information. In the era of
personal, job related or broader social issues
information processing, communication, and
and problems.”Professional library
the knowledge industry, the librarian
associations like the Indian Library
participates in building a new society.
Association (ILA), American Library
Librarians are important as a professional Association (ALA), Australian Library and
group and their role is not limited to passing Information Association (ALIA) etc. are
books. Modern library staff works toward conducting developed information literacy
winning new readers, similar to commercial programmes.
organizations winning customers. A modern
The term ‘21st century skills’ includes
human has a craving for acquiring knowledge
information literacy skills, digital literacy
from childhood, and considered in it the role
skills, media literacy skills, information and
of libraries and librarians. Therefore, the
communication skills, critical thinking and
libraries’ advertising promotion activities are
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problem-solving skills and interpersonal and associated with the librarian’s profession by
self-directional skills. To succeed in the 21st society. In the twenty–first century, gradually
century, one should have all these 21st century necessitated a change in traditional work
skills. methods due to the technological
developments. Today, continuous professional
WHAT SHOULD THE TWENTY–FIRST development is very necessary in the form of
CENTURY LIBRARIAN BE LIKE? courses, training, conferences and meetings,
Twenty–first century libraries heap new tasks and the use of new educational methods such
upon a librarian. There is a lot of difference in as e–learning or internet discussion forums.
the model for a hybrid librarian and a The twenty–first century society is a learning
stereotypical librarian, except in lending society; therefore by virtue of their mission,
books. Modernized working conditions i.e. librarians should serve as an example for other
new library buildings, new technologies professional groups. “Learning processes are
undoubtedly, influence the changing image not only in favor of other co–employees, they
and prestige of a librarian. A modern also have an impact on effectiveness and
individual wins against the stereotypical image quality of the library information services” and
of a librarian. A contemporary librarian a librarian must be aware of this.
becomes a guide in the world of knowledge,
which demands they know how to use the new A modern librarian is open to innovations and
sources of information skillfully. Modern changes. He/She has an eager and interested
librarians are crucial now for not only their attitude towards new solutions because of the
high level of expertise, but also for being able fast–paced, constantly evolving nature of
to associate with the modern individuals’ changes in libraries. A modern librarian, can
personality. A 21st century librarian must be develop modern characteristics throughout
modern, with acquiring psychological, one’s professional career even after many
praxeological, social and professional years of work, one does not need to be young
capabilities. to be modern. The shift in the image should be
first reflected in us, following the proverb
Psychological abilities involve self– “fine feathers make fine birds,” and it involves
awareness, self–evaluation and self–control. A the ability to evoke intended emotions in
librarian should always be aware of others. The librarians’ ethic of collaborating
modernizations, new resources and new on improving their image as well as sharing
technological developments, noticing the need experiences and mutual support helps society
for their own development, not only when to perceive librarians as a strong, determined
encouraged by their superiors, but also group of professionals, aware of their socially
resulting from their own motivation to learn. useful role. By utilizing social competences
The need for development must stem from the such as empathy, persuasion, leadership and
natural predispositions in the librarian because cooperation a librarian can provide better
such skills are not provided by the education. service to the society. The librarian’s
A librarian must be aware of his or her role personality instantly creates a link between the
and aware of the need to constantly develop media and information for the users. The task
and improve. Praxeological abilities involve of librarians consists in recognizing, satisfying
diligence, adaptation and motivation. A and developing information, educational,
librarian’s diligence is beyond question, as scientific, cultural needs and the needs for
meticulousness is a required characteristic and entertainment. A librarian must be aware of
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55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010
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keeping jobs manually. The attitudes of some librarian’s role have to shift from that of
librarians having charge of important libraries information locator (custodian role) to that of
are really frustrating. As soon as they hear an information evaluator and instructor in the
about computers or computer-related use and evaluation of information sources.
technologies in the LIS field, their first reflex Library people have time and again
is that such things are the realm of computer complained about lack of training to develop
technicians, systems analysts, database ICT skills in employees. They wrongly believe
managers, not for librarians or library people. that the onus of training falls entirely on their
Such behaviours on behalf of those at the head employers. In now days, no one is guaranteed
of institutions are detrimental to the library a job for a life time. Only those persons have
profession in general. They forget that great chance of employability in such
technology permeates all branches of learning, workplaces, who train themselves by
all disciplines and every sphere of our lives. constantly updating their skills and become
Lawyers, engineers, medical practitioners, multi-skilled and who are engaged in life long
people of all walks of life need Information learning. In the past, employers made it a duty
Technology in their daily personal and to train their employees but nowadays this
professional lives. If librarians and library responsibility is given less importance. In
employees are themselves not fully conversant difficult economic situations, they downsize
with Information Technology, it is difficult to their personnel and redeploy those who suit
see them having a role in the information the new market requirements. In the local
literacy programmes. They may not be of any context, our librarians and information
assistance in bridging the digital gap. workers need to give a serious thought about
the exigencies of the 21st century and the
CONCLUSION skills required to meet all the forthcoming
The development of the modern world and challenges.
requirements cast upon the society imply that REFERENCES
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