An analysis of the changing role of systems librarians

Ratledge, David; Sproles, Claudene

doi:10.1108/lht-08-2016-0092

Cited by 21 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…for systems librarian required for the digital librarians based on the advertisement posted in College and Research Libraries News, reported the top-ranked skills as the current trend, standards and technology in a digital library, HTML, computer hardware and software skills, markup languages/systems and programming or scripting languages. The study of Ratledge and Sproles (2017) also analyzed the 70 job advertisements posted on American Library Association's JobList in 2014 for a technology-related librarian for examining the changing role of systems librarians and key areas such as traditional systems, digital initiatives and Web services along with the demand of skills for project management, customer services and problem-solving skills. Farajpahlou and Danesh (2009) surveyed managers and librarians in the university libraries of Iran to propose job descriptions for the systems librarians.…”

Section: Competenciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and validation of core technology competencies for systems librarian

Naveed

Siddique

Mahmood

2021

DLP

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Purpose This study aimed to develop and validate a list of core technology competencies for systems librarian in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Survey method was used to conduct this investigation. A structured questionnaire, consisting of 52 competency statements categorized into six core technology areas, was developed based on an extensive literature review, experts’ scrutiny and pilot testing. The administration of the survey questionnaire was done though online environments such as related listservs and Facebook pages. The received 62 responses were imported into statistical package for social sciences and analyzed by computing means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation and t-test. Findings The results indicated six core technology areas where competencies of systems librarians needed to be developed, namely, basic computing, programming and Web publishing, computer networks, cloud computing, database management systems and information systems. The respondents validated 50 statements with an average mean score more than three. Only two statements received mean scores less than three. The results also indicated higher consistency of these statements as the value of Cronbach’s alpha was 0.973. Research limitations/implications This research attempted to identify and validate core technology competencies needed for systems librarians in Pakistan. It neither attempted to determine the weightage each competency should have if it was to be included in curriculum nor it intended to identify a detailed content for each core technology competency. In Pakistan, System librarians develop their knowledge and skills with the specialized computer subject by studying on their own, attending training workshops and on job experience. It is therefore worth mentioning here that the knowledge of the needed competencies may be limited. Practical implications Library and information science schools need to consider these competencies in developing and designing information curriculum with regard to management of library systems. This set of competencies help academicians in designing need-based curricula and training programs for existing and prospect system librarians in Pakistan. Originality/value This study would be a worthwhile contribution to the literature on competencies of information professionals especially systems librarians as no such study appeared providing pragmatic, evidenced and field-based insights toward proposed research area.

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Section: Competenciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and validation of core technology competencies for systems librarian

Naveed

Siddique

Mahmood

2021

DLP

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“…Clearly, Big Data analytics requires the engagement of Data Scientists (Davenport and Patil, 2012) whose role is now significantly changing in library business systems. In order to achieve a competitive advantage in the Big Data environment, libraries need to implement a Big Data framework and the appropriate modules and tools that will increase customer satisfaction and long-term trust (Ratledge and Sproles, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Big Data smart library recommender system for an educational institution

Simović

2018

LHT

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Purpose With the exponential growth of the amount of data, the most sophisticated systems of traditional libraries are not able to fulfill the demands of modern business and user needs. The purpose of this paper is to present the possibility of creating a Big Data smart library as an integral and enhanced part of the educational system that will improve user service and increase motivation in the continuous learning process through content-aware recommendations. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents an approach to the design of a Big Data system for collecting, analyzing, processing and visualizing data from different sources to a smart library specifically suitable for application in educational institutions. Findings As an integrated recommender system of the educational institution, the practical application of Big Data smart library meets the user needs and assists in finding personalized content from several sources, resulting in economic benefits for the institution and user long-term satisfaction. Social implications The need for continuous education alters business processes in libraries with requirements to adopt new technologies, business demands, and interactions with users. To be able to engage in a new era of business in the Big Data environment, librarians need to modernize their infrastructure for data collection, data analysis, and data visualization. Originality/value A unique value of this paper is its perspective of the implementation of a Big Data solution for smart libraries as a part of a continuous learning process, with the aim to improve the results of library operations by integrating traditional systems with Big Data technology. The paper presents a Big Data smart library system that has the potential to create new values and data-driven decisions by incorporating multiple sources of differential data.

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“…Other researchers have mentioned that although new technologies have reshaped and redefined librarians' roles, the new technologies were adopted in libraries without strategic training (Carson and Little, 2014;Cherinet, 2018;Dowdy, 2020;Ratledge and Sproles, 2017;Tritt and Kendrick, 2014).…”

Section: Perceptions On Ai and Related Tech In Librariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions on adopting artificial intelligence and related technologies in libraries: public and academic librarians in North America

Yoon

Andrews

Ward

2021

LHT

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PurposeThis study aims to understand how artificial Intelligence (AI) and related technologies are currently being utilized in public and academic libraries and how librarians perceive the adoption of new technologies in their relative libraries.Design/methodology/approachUsing an online survey questionnaire, the authors collected survey responses from both public and academic librarians that were subscribed to information science-centered listservs in North America. The quantitative survey responses (N = 242) were measured through use of multiple chi-square tests and crosstab analyses.FindingsThe current use and awareness of AI and related technologies were more reported from academic librarians; however, public librarians' reported perceptions on such technologies were generally more positive. In all, 67% of them responded that AI and related technologies will transform the library's functions, and 68% of librarians reported that they are interested in training. This study discussed the significance of training for preparing librarians for AI and related technologies and the further examination on the role of librarians in the new era.Originality/valueThis study examined public and academic librarians' perceptions toward the adoption of six emerging technologies which often appear in the LIS literature as well as addressed as the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

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An analysis of the changing role of systems librarians

Cited by 21 publications

References 1 publication

Development and validation of core technology competencies for systems librarian

Development and validation of core technology competencies for systems librarian

A Big Data smart library recommender system for an educational institution

Perceptions on adopting artificial intelligence and related technologies in libraries: public and academic librarians in North America

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