Web 2.0 technologies are the second generation of the World Wide Web digital tools that allow users to participate in the creation, modification, and publishing dynamic content of all kinds. I believe that a Web 2.0 information professional must possess the following essential knowledge, skills and attributes:
User focused
The information profession deals mostly with services,
hence, a Web 2.0 information professional should love working with people and
looks at things from the users’ perspective.
Ability to provide information using Web 2.0
technologies
A Web 2.0 information professional is a person who has
fundamental understanding of the Web 2.0 and emerging technologies and has the
ability to evaluate such technologies to find out if they are appropriate for
the workplace (Casell & Hiremath, 2011). Social networking technologies help libraries connect with users
and potential users “where they are”, hence, Web 2.0 information professionals should possess
the ability to decide on the potential of using Facebook, Twitter, Youtube,
Blogs, Wikis, RSS, and others. Harvey (2009) emphasised the need to ensure that decisions to use
new tools should only be made if they serve the purpose of helping in delivering
services to users. The patrons should be the driving force behind the decision
on which tools make the best sense to employ (Harvey, 2009).
Online searching
expertise and familiarity with research on assessment and evaluation
Because of the vast electronics resources available
(commercial and free), Web 2.0 librarians must be knowledgeable in selecting
electronic resources for their users. They should be able to retrieve and discern
reliable from unreliable information from the Web. Also, librarian 2.0 should have
skills in research; it is a way for them to be making the best decisions, developing
best practice, and establishing benchmarking (Patridge, Lee, & Munro,
2010).
Good collaborator and a team player
With so much to learn from current and emerging
technologies, teamwork is essential. There are just far too many information
and Web 2.0 tools for a single person to handle on their own.
Interpersonal
skills
Web 2.0 information professionals deal with their
colleagues, users, and other stakeholders. Interpersonal skills include not
only on how we communicate with others but also our confidence and our ability
to listen and understand, solve problems, make decisions and manage personal
stress (SkillsYouNeed, 2012).
Ability to adapt to change
Ability to adapt to change
Because the information services sector is now
intertwined with technology, the only sure thing to happen in the future is
change. Consequently, any information professional should be adaptable to these
technological changes to be able to serve their users effectively. The successful
librarian in the Web 2.0 world is interested in what is happening around them
(Patridge et al., 2010).
Enthusiasm for
career-long learning
Technological changes have made modern libraries what
they are today. Hence, information professionals must keep pace with the latest
library trends through seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, etc. A
librarian 2.0 should experiment with new technologies as they come along and maintain
a healthy dose of scepticism (Harvey, 2009).
Desire to share
knowledge through teaching
The complexity of the library’s resources has made it
necessary that users receive assistance. A Web 2.0 information professional should
have the desire to teach users on how to use electronic resources, the online
catalogue, and other available databases.
Good communication
skills in both written and oral
With the continually expanding availability of electronic
resources and digitized materials, new terms have come out that information
professionals need to know, in addition to their existing language. Metadata,
OPAC, and Web 2.0 terms such as blogs, Wikis, Folksonomies, Social Networking-(Facebook, Myspace,
LinkedIn), and Mashups are just among the new terminologies that came out that
librarians need to be conversant with.
Appreciates the importance
of marketing program
Paying attention to promotion and marketing of libraries is
becoming more important than ever; major marketing or publicity campaigns
(through social media) are important elements of the organisation to bring
clients into the library to use its planned new services (Cassell & Hiremath, 2011).
References
Cassell, K. A., & Hiremath, U. (2011). Reference and information services in the 21st century: An introduction. New York, NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers.
Harvey, M. (2009). What does it mean to be a Science librarian 2.0? Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, (Summer). Retrieved from http://www.istl.org/09-summer/article2.html
Patridge, H., Lee, J., & Munro, C. (2010). Becoming “Librarian 2.0”: The skills, knowledge, and attributes required by library and information science professionals in Web 2.0 world (and beyond). Library Trends, 59(1-2), 315-335. DOI: 10.1353/lib.2010.0029.
SkillsYouNeed. (2012). What are interpersonal skills? Retrieved from http://www.skillsyouneed.co.uk/interpersonal_skills.html
Harvey, M. (2009). What does it mean to be a Science librarian 2.0? Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, (Summer). Retrieved from http://www.istl.org/09-summer/article2.html
Patridge, H., Lee, J., & Munro, C. (2010). Becoming “Librarian 2.0”: The skills, knowledge, and attributes required by library and information science professionals in Web 2.0 world (and beyond). Library Trends, 59(1-2), 315-335. DOI: 10.1353/lib.2010.0029.
SkillsYouNeed. (2012). What are interpersonal skills? Retrieved from http://www.skillsyouneed.co.uk/interpersonal_skills.html
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