Challenges and Opportunities of Librarians and Information Professional in

the Age of New Technology”

Roxas City, 28 April 2011

Job
Opportunities
for Librarians
Prof. Salvacion M. Arlante
University Librarian
UP Diliman

4/26/2011
33 Reasons why libraries and
librarians ARE still extremely
important (1)
Focus on Public Librarians
1. Not everything is available on the Internet
2. Digital libraries are not the internet.
3. The internet isn’t free.
4. The internet complements libraries, but it
doesn’t replace them.
5. School libraries and librarians improve
student test scores.
6. Digitization doesn’t mean destruction.
 33 Reasons (2)
7. In fact, digitization means survival
8. Digitization is going to take a while. A
long while.
9. Libraries aren’t just books.
10. Mobile devices aren’t the end of books or
libraries.
11. The hype might really just be hype.
12. Library attendance isn’t falling—it’s just
more virtual now.
 33 Reasons (3)
13. Like businesses, digital libraries still need
human staffing.
14. We just can’t count on physical libraries
disappearing.
15. Book searches “don’t work”.
16. Physical libraries can adapt to cultural
change.
17. Physical libraries are adapting to cultural
change.
18. Eliminating libraries would cut short an
important process of cultural evolution.
 33 Reasons (4)
19. The Internet isn’t DIY.
20. Wisdom of crowds is untrustworthy,
because of the tipping point.
21. Librarians are the irreplaceable
counterparts to Web moderators.
22. Unlike moderators, librarians must
straddle the line between libraries and the
internet.
23. The Internet is a mess.
24. The Internet is subject to manipulation.
 33 Reasons (5)
25. Libraries’ collections employ a well-
formulated system of citation.
26. It can be hard to isolate concise
information on the Internet.
27. Libraries can preserve the book
experience.
28. Libraries are stable while the Web is
transient.
29. Libraries can be surprisingly helpful for
news collections and archives.
30. Not everyone has access to the Internet.
 CHED Memo Order 08 as
proposed by BFL
• A Library and Information Science graduate can
be employed as:
• Abstractor
• Academic Librarian
• Acquisitions Librarian
• Archivist/Archival Librarian
• Bibliographer
• Cataloger

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 CHED Memo Order 08 as
proposed by BFL
• A Library and Information Science graduate can
be employed as:
• Chief Librarian/Director of Libraries
• College/University Librarian
• Corporate Librarian
• Database Specialist/Librarian
• Documentation Officer

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 CHED Memo Order 08 as
proposed by BFL
• A Library and Information Science graduate can
be employed as:
• Geographic Information Systems Librarian
• Indexer
• Information Specialist
• Knowledge Manager
• Law Librarian
• Library Consultant

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 CHED Memo Order 08 as
proposed by BFL
• A Library and Information Science graduate can
be employed as:
• LIS Faculty
• LIS Researcher
• Map Librarian
• Media or Audio Visual Specialist
• Medical Librarian
• Museum Curator

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 CHED Memo Order 08 as
proposed by BFL
• A Library and Information Science graduate can
be employed as:
• Public Librarian
• Records Librarian
• Reference Librarian
• School Librarian
• Special Collection Librarian
• Systems Librarian
• Teacher Librarian

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 Jobs on
Demand

4/26/2011
Database
Specialist/
Librarian
• designs, installs,
updates, modifies,
maintains, and repairs
computer database
systems to meet the
needs of their
employers
• AKA database
managers or database
administrators

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Information
Broker

• AKA independent
information
professionals
• compiles information
from online databases
and services

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 Information Broker
• Works for clients in a number of different
professions, researching marketing surveys,
newspaper articles, business and government
statistics, abstracts, and other sources of
information
• Prepares reports and presentations based on their
research

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College Professor

• AKA library science

educators
• Instructs undergraduate
and graduate students
in library and
information science at
colleges and
universities

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 College Professor according
to CMO#08
• Registered librarian
• Holder of appropriate Master of Library and
Information Science or related degrees to teach
LIS subjects and/or allied subjects at
undergraduate level
• Have at least one (1) year of library-related work
experience

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Archivist

• Contributes to the study

of the arts and sciences
by analyzing, acquiring,
and preserving
historical documents,
artwork, organizational
and personal records,
and information
systems that are
significant enough to be
preserved for future
generations

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Film & Video
Librarian

• Oversees a collection of
films and videos housed
within a library, school,
or business
• In charge of
researching, reviewing,
purchasing, cataloging,
and archiving the films
and videos in all forms

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 Film & Video Librarian
• Plans special viewing events or film discussion
groups, or give class lectures
• Takes into account industry reviews and popular
trends, as well as the input of the library director,
teachers, students, and library patrons, when
making new acquisitions

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Music Librarian
• Performs many of the
same duties as
traditional librarians,
but specialize in
managing materials
related to music
• Selects and acquire
music, videotapes,
records, cassettes,
DVDs, compact discs,
books, manuscripts,
and other nonbook
materials for the library
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School Librarian

• Oversees the daily

operations of the
children's department
of public and private
libraries and school
libraries
• Serves as instructors
and mentors to
students

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 School Librarian
• Is responsible for outreach services such as the
bookmobile
• Organizes displays of books, artwork, collections,
or memorabilia that may be of interest to children
• Supervises library technicians and non-
professional staff such as clerks, student workers,
or volunteers

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Library Media
Specialist

• AKA library media

teachers
• Is a school staff
members who help
teachers and students
find and use the
information available to
them through print and
audiovisual sources

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 Library Media Specialist
• Is responsible for acquiring and maintaining their
schools' resources
• May work in library media centers in both
elementary schools and high schools
• Provides training in information literacy
• May instruct teachers in the use of different print
materials or audiovisual equipment

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Research
Assistant

• Works to help writers,

scientists, marketing
and advertising
executives, attorneys,
professors, publishers,
politicians, museum
curators, radio, film,
and television
producers, and a wide
variety of other
professionals get their
jobs done

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Corporate
Librarian

• Manages data files and

sources of information
pertinent to the interest
of a company, hospital,
association, private
business, or
government department

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Corporate Librarian
• Helps company staff members
with projects by conducting
extensive research, writing
reports, archiving data, or
completing other tasks
• Educates and trains staff about
new computer programs and
databases
• Is available to help staff with a
project or presentation by
conducting research, verifying
facts, or locating certain photos or
film

4/26/2011
Law Librarian

• Is a professionally
trained librarians who
work in legal settings
such as court systems,
private law firms,
government libraries,
corporate law
departments, and law
schools

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 Law Librarian
• Academic law librarians who work in college or
university law libraries may have a stronger focus
on instruction than other law librarians
• Government law librarians work in government
law offices, courts, prisons, and government
agencies
Acquisitions
Librarian

• AKA collection
development librarian
• Builds and maintains
library collections,
which include print
references such as
books and periodicals,
and digital references

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Medical Librarian

• AKA medical
information specialist
• Helps doctors, patients,
and other medical
personnel find health
information and select
materials best suited to
their needs
Book Conservator
• Treats the bindings and
pages of books and
nonbook items to help
preserve original
materials for future use
• Includes removing a
book block from its
binding, sewing,
measuring, gluing,
rebinding, and using
special chemical
treatments to maintain
the integrity of the item
Library Director
• Head of a library
organization and are
responsible for all
library operations
 Library Director
• Creates a budget for new book acquisitions and
technological equipment
• Manages the library's collection, fundraising
• Devises public relations campaigns
• Works with community or academic leaders
• Hires, trains, and schedules library staff
 Expertise and qualifications

• Required credentials
- Degree(s)
- Specialized training

• Competencies
 Communication Skills
• Listens effectively, transmits information
accurately and understandably, and
actively seeks constructive feedback
• Provides timely, accurate, and candid
information on critical issues
(planning/progress/results) to colleagues
and team members
• Identifies the critical issues to be
communicated in complex situations
• Presents information or data in a format
that is efficient and understandable
 Communication Skills
• takes into account how different audiences and
cultures are likely to respond and endeavors to
choose the best method of communicating the
message to each audience or culture
• uses simple examples, illustrations, or analogies
to explain concepts
• writes clearly, logically, and concisely
• demonstrates small and large group
communication skills to enhance and encourage
open dialogue
 Creativity/Innovation

• Looks for opportunities to apply new

and evolving ideas, methods, design,
and technologies
• identifies and articulates hidden
aspects, unseen relationships, or
implications of problems, issues, and
systems
• willingly seeks out information,
experts, or resources to creatively
resolve issues or develop new ideas
 Flexibility/Adaptability (1)

• Performs a wide range of tasks,

responds to changes in direction and
priorities, and accepts new challenges,
responsibilities, and assignments
• accepts change as a healthy and
normal part of organizational growth
• functions effectively in ambiguous
situations, agreeably approaches
situations, challenges, or proposals
from both his/her own and others’
perspectives
 Flexibility/Adaptability (2)

• considers alternate strategies,

modifies or changes strategies to
ensure the best chance of success
• seeks new responsibilities and
assignments
• agreeably works outside of ordinary
routine
• responds appropriately to changes in
direction and priorities
 Interpersonal/Group
Skills (1)
• Builds strong work relationships with sensitivity
to how individuals, organizational units, and
cultures function and react;
• Establishes partnerships at all levels and across
department and functional lines to achieve
optimum results
• Uses empathy when understanding others’
perspectives, needs, concerns, and culture
• Asks open-ended questions, listens actively,
and responds in an open positive manner
• Considers the impact of decisions before taking
action
• Constructively manages conflict by looking for
areas of common agreement
 Interpersonal/Group
Skills (2)
• effectively negotiates and compromises
• proactively involves other people,
groups, departments, functions, and
levels to solve problems and achieve
results which meet the needs of the
whole organization
• participates in group discussions; gives
and accepts feedback openly and
constructively
• commits to meeting objectives on time
 Interpersonal/Group
Skills (3)
• supports group by assisting members
to learn, develop, and grow in their
ability to contribute to results
• acknowledges and praises individual
and collective success
• supports group decisions and
outcomes (even in the absence of
consensus) through actions and
communications
 Organizational Awareness and
Global Thinking (1)
• Demonstrates an understanding of the
institution in its entirety and works to
achieve results across disciplines,
departments, and functions;
• Develops and maintains supportive
relationships across the organization
• seeks opportunities to learn about
other functions to expand perspectives
and overall ability to provide valuable
contributions to the library
 Organizational Awareness
and Global Thinking (2)
• shows ability and willingness to work
in a fluid environment across
departmental lines or units
• supports and facilitates cooperation
between others
• uses appropriate methods to gain
acceptance of ideas or plans,
especially with individuals over
whom no direct control can be
exercised
 Ownership/Accountability/
Dependability (1)
• Accepts responsibility for actions,
results, and risks
• gets the job done
• takes appropriate action to meet
challenging goals, schedules, or
needs
• expresses ideas for continuous
improvement and produces work of
excellent quality
• willingly takes action and assumes
accountability
 Ownership/Accountability/
Dependability (2)
• ensures accuracy and completeness of
work
• accepts responsibility for
accomplishments, successes, failures, and
mistakes
• demonstrates ability and willingness to
follow through on projects
• takes responsibility for self-development
• actively and continuously learns
 Planning and
Organizational Skills (1)
• Anticipates and predicts internal and
external changes, trends, and influences in
order to effectively allocate resources and
implement appropriate library initiatives
• balances long- and short-term planning
• effectively manages time and priorities
• emphasizes the importance of and
demonstrates logical, systematic approaches
to the accomplishment of tasks
• takes action to minimize unnecessary error
or risk
 Planning and
Organizational Skills (2)
• identifies alternatives and makes
contingency plans
• anticipates multiple implications of a
situation and allocates resources
accordingly
• formulates objectives, designs and
manages resources and processes in
anticipation of future educational and
organizational changes
• chooses most efficient points at which to
monitor details of project or task
 Resource Management (1)
• Demonstrates a consistent focus on
minimizing expenses while maximizing
results
• manages and appropriately allocates
resources
• continuously searches for, identifies, and
captures cost-reduction and value-
enhancement opportunities
• makes recommendations based on
effectiveness
• anticipates implications of a situation
and allocates resources accordingly
 Resource Management (2)
• balances long- and short-term planning
• looks for methods to increase efficiency and
to avoid inappropriate use of time or
resources
• applies business process and conducts
financial analysis to identify costs, risks,
and alternatives
• identifies obstacles and potential delays to
implementation of initiatives
• balances reasonable risks against potential
gain in making decisions and proposals
 Service Attitude/
User Satisfaction
• Understands and meets the needs of users and
addresses their interests and the concerns of
those affected
• anticipates user needs and expectations across
functions
• proactively seeks out information needed to
satisfy users
• remains professional and helpful with users
• ensures user needs are consistently satisfied with
the highest standards of quality
• takes reasonable risks in satisfying user needs
• balances expectations and needs of various
stakeholders
 Expertise and Technical
Knowledge (1)
• Demonstrates broad, in-depth, and up-to-
date knowledge of pertinent fields and
awareness of current technology
• understands how to use a microcomputer,
including mouse and keyboard skills
• builds on experience to adapt to changes in
technology
• transfers information from manuals and
training sessions into the workplace
• embraces new technology and implements
practical applications
 Expertise and Technical
Knowledge (2)
• asks for and is willing to take on more
challenging work
• acts as a resource to others; freely and
willingly
• shares new technology with others
• keeps up-to-date with new practices, trends,
and standards in the field by reading
journals, attending professional meetings and
conferences, holding discussions with
experts, etc.
• looks for opportunities to use and expand
knowledge, skills, and experience
 Making the right connections

• Personal and institutional linkages

• Online visibility through the use of
social networks, blogs, personal
websites, Tweeter, etc.
• Active membership in professional
organization
• Participation in personal/online
discussion or civic groups
 Conclusion

• It is said that in digital environment,

librarians will be irrelevant
• I say, in digital environment,
librarians will be more in demand to
• Provide the best library instruction services
• Provide the best possible access to
information through ICTs
• Provide the right information to the right
person at the right time
 Conclusion

• As long as there is a need for

information and knowledge, there
will always be a need for a
librarian.
• Librarianship will never become
extinct profession.
 Contact Information
Prof. Salvacion M. Arlante
University Librarian
The University Library
University of the Philippines
Diliman
Tel : 981.8500 loc 2852
Email:
salvacion.arlante@up.edu.ph