Journal of Information and Knowledge (Formerly SRELS Journal of Information Management)

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Information Technology (IT) and Medical Librarians' Emerging Roles: a Literature Review


Affiliations
1 Department of Library and Information Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India
2 Mysore University Library, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India
     

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The present paper’s purpose is to review the literature related to the impact of information technology on changing roles of librarians, whether empirical or theoretical. It aims to explore the skills needed to execute these new roles in the ever-changing IT-based environment. Related keywords such as “information technology skills”, “computer skills”, “librarians changing roles”, and “medical librarians” were searched on the web as well as some well-known databases. Key issues were identified, compared, and categorized in order to identify IT-related skills needed for modern librarians. A number of skills have been identified and recommended by studies discussed in the paper. The literature revealed that in order to remain relevant in the new era of information technology, librarians need to keep abreast with the new technological developments and be equipped with the necessary IT skills/competencies. The review does not claim to be an in-depth one. The study can serve as a guideline concerning IT skills for LIS professionals, researchers, and LIS schools.

Keywords

Librarians Emerging Roles, Information Technology Skills, Information Technology.
User
About The Authors

Mina Tavassoli Farahi
Department of Library and Information Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore
India

R. T. D. Ramesh Gandhi
Mysore University Library, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore
India


Notifications

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  • Information Technology (IT) and Medical Librarians' Emerging Roles: a Literature Review

Abstract Views: 304  |  PDF Views: 16

Authors

Mina Tavassoli Farahi
Department of Library and Information Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India
R. T. D. Ramesh Gandhi
Mysore University Library, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India

Abstract


The present paper’s purpose is to review the literature related to the impact of information technology on changing roles of librarians, whether empirical or theoretical. It aims to explore the skills needed to execute these new roles in the ever-changing IT-based environment. Related keywords such as “information technology skills”, “computer skills”, “librarians changing roles”, and “medical librarians” were searched on the web as well as some well-known databases. Key issues were identified, compared, and categorized in order to identify IT-related skills needed for modern librarians. A number of skills have been identified and recommended by studies discussed in the paper. The literature revealed that in order to remain relevant in the new era of information technology, librarians need to keep abreast with the new technological developments and be equipped with the necessary IT skills/competencies. The review does not claim to be an in-depth one. The study can serve as a guideline concerning IT skills for LIS professionals, researchers, and LIS schools.

Keywords


Librarians Emerging Roles, Information Technology Skills, Information Technology.

References