Roles of Information Professionals In the New Information Environment

Adapting to Technological Changes: The Role of Information Professionals in the Knowledge Society

Abstract

Inan era of information explosion and the global shift in acquiring, storing, anddisseminating information in Internet era, made a substantial change in thework environment of library and information professionals. Now, Libraryprofession is one of the most challenging professions in the knowledge society.Librarians face complex challenges posed by recent trends in Information andCommunication Technology. The role of the Library professional has become moredynamic and challenging in the modern world. This paper covers the role oflibrary and information service professionals that have undergone a largedegree of change in recent years. It also outlines and discusses theprofessional skills and technological competencies necessary for library professionalsand considers how these are acquired and developed to survive in the everchanging technological environment and to meet the future challenges.Technology alone cannot help to bring about the required changes. Librarieswill truly be benefited to the user community if the attitudes, practices, andthe application of new technologies can be properly adopted by the libraryprofessionals.