The right information to the right person at the right time is the key to success for any organisation. People with the expertise to locate, retrieve and exploit information are vital to any organisation’s success.
The discipline of library and information science is the management of knowledge resources. It is not always necessary to recruit library and information staff who have experience within a particular sector. During their careers librarians and information professionals develop a set of transferable core skills enabling them to build up subject knowledge in any area in a short period of time.
Library and information professionals have the training and expertise to create, develop and manage a library or information unit to meet the specific needs of any organisation.
- Enable easy access to information resources in all formats while taking responsibility for its currency and relevance
- Identify and acquire the materials of most relevance; then organise them in an easily accessible manner
- Create and search databases to exploit knowledge based information resources
- Manage content of internet and intranet sites
- Manage effective enquiry and current awareness services
- Train staff and clients to access and exploit relevant information resources in the most effective way leading to raised levels of information literacy within the organisation
- Recruit, manage and train information staff
- Manage finances and budgets
- Provide specialist information expertise liaising with others working in the field such as publishers and suppliers
As well as these skills a library and information professional will have:
- Knowledge and understanding of the key issues and developments relevant to the organisation they work for
- Expertise in managing information allied with strong interpersonal and communication skills resulting in effective knowledge management
- Commitment to continuing professional development underpinned by reflective practice
- Initiative, self-motivation and flexibility
The level, understanding and competence will vary according to the length and depth of experience of each library and information professional.