55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010

Role of Librarian in the 21st Century

Somvir
Assistant Librarian, PDM College of Engineering, Bahadurgarh
E-mail: somvirrathee@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT: All modern libraries are facing new challenges due to the immense amount of available information in
form of electronic tools. The traditional libraries should be transformed into hybrid libraries focused on providing
information collected in the form of books and electronic sources to survive and meet the need of end users. With the
development of the modern information technology the traditional libraries have not been fit on the requirement of
the information time and knowledge economic development, so these face the basic changes and innovation. In this
paper authors emphasize the role of librarians in libraries which have collection in form of e–books, digital
documents and various databases and common access to the Internet. Modern libraries are creating the society of
knowledge and in these modern libraries a librarian works as information officer who is a guide to help search the
relevant information in numerous sources of information. The librarians are constantly open to any changes in their
field and eager to improve their skills and knowledge. The importance of personality traits of a modern librarian are
particularly emphasized.

INTRODUCTION Tadao Umesamo, concerning the “information

Society is an open system, dynamic set of
interrelated social systems, institutions and
individuals that act upon and react to the
various aspects of the world around it. The
term ‘Information Society’ describes the
characteristics and structure of a society in
which the driving force will be the production
of information values and not material values.
It will be a society that brings about a
flourishing state of human intellectual
creativity. The society is becoming
increasingly centered on information handling,
processing, storage and dissemination, using
microelectronics-based technologies, made
available through the convergence of
computer with telecommunications, namely,
IT. Information Society appears as an outcome
of technological and economic changes.
Information Society and Knowledge Based
Society
The information age has arrived and modern
society is commonly referred to as the
“information society.” Still, this term does not
have a commonly accepted interpretation. The
first definition of information society was
established as early as in 1963 in Japan by
processing society.” The civilization to be
built as we approach the 21st century will not
be a material civilization symbolized by huge
constructions, but will be virtually an invisible
civilization. Precisely, it should be called an
‘information civilization.” Information society
is described by the modern researchers as “the
society in which the information is intensely
used in economic, social, cultural and political
life; it is a society with abundant means of
communication and of information processing,
the society being the basis for serving as a
major part of the national income and ensuring
the source of income for majority of the
population”. The information society is
defined as “the whole of activity serving to
produce, use, protect/secure, accumulate and
pass on information. The information society
is constituted by all those employed in
producing, using and transmitting information
as well as those creating information
infrastructures.”
The popularity of the Internet and other
electronic mass media is spreading very fast.
The use of internet and e-resources created a
new type of society and the analog technology
has been abandoned in favour of digital
technology within a couple of years. This new

Somvir
55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010
©
society is also referred to as the digital, Web,
Internet or computer society. Information is
the most sought–after and valuable
merchandise in this society. It becomes
indispensable for one’s social and professional
development to keep up with information
constantly, to gain and use it in practice, due
to changes taking place in the modern world.
The crucial factor is being well acquainted
with and searching for adequate sources,
selecting and evaluating the information from
the “ocean” of information as well as having
the ability to transform the information into
knowledge.
ROLE OF LIBRARIES IN
INFORMATION SOCIETY OF THE 21ST
CENTURY
Education and professional activities are the
major method for fighting against social
exclusion. In this context we mean literary and
media education at the primary school level,
and technological information at higher levels
of education. An extremely wide scope for
such activities is available in the libraries. The
information is provided to the society in need
of information through the library cooperation
with the development of science, economy,
culture and education. Therefore, the libraries
were co–creating the information society long
before it started to be associated with
particular conceptions of society.
Twenty–first century libraries have a lot in
difference with the traditional model. Their
dominant elements are changed.
Sr. Traditional Modern
No. Library Library
Collection Collection
1. Book E-Books
2. Journals E-Journals
3. Bound Volume Journal Archival
4. Reference Digital Tools
Collection
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5. Slides Images
6. Scientific DVDs
Movies
7. Photo Album Image Collection
8. Newspaper E-Newspaper
Clippings clipping (PDF,
PS, DOC
Format)
Most library–related processes are now
computerized. Due to the technological
development, it is easy to access the required
information within time throughout the world.
It has changed methods of communication,
and consequently it has altered the tasks to be
undertaken by modern libraries. To enable
users to interact with humanity’s cultural
heritage as a means of preventing cultural
homogenization in the age of globalization,
modern libraries should offer a widely–
perceived educational activity. With the
impact of new technologies cooperation
between libraries is possible, with the
information resources in today’s libraries
constituting a significant contribution to the
informational potential of a society.
ROLE OF LIBRARIANS IN
INFORMATION SOCIETY OF THE 21ST
CENTURY
One might think that a librarian is no longer
necessary due to the use of electronic sources
of information, as well as a world dominated
by common Internet access with new libraries
and the process of gathering information may
be performed automatically in modern
libraries. However, this is not true. To search
the required information a great amount of
time is required due to the increasing rate of
the speed and amount of information in the
world and also on the Internet. In order to
efficiently find, select, check and make
information available, and understand the
users’ needs, through a computer program or
database it is not possible to provide some sort
55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010
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of condensed data, an information expert such
as a librarian is required to access the
information. The tools and resources used to
supply required information and transform it
into knowledge are changed but the librarian’s
role has remained unchanged. Especially now,
it seems necessary to reflect upon the
characteristics of a modern librarian that
would best serve all users. Therefore, the
librarian is indispensable in the era of the
information society.
In Information Society modern libraries could
be compared to information malls. Moving
around them can cause certain difficulties. A
very common phenomenon is that of “library
anxiety,” mainly observed in higher education
institutions where users feel uncomfortable
about their level of knowledge. The obstacle is
fear of embarrassing oneself when asking
elementary questions, or getting a negative
feedback from a librarian. Another is a lack of
computer proficiency, which renders searching
superficial and incomplete and makes one feel
uncomfortable ad lightly unconfident in the
environment. Therefore, one can obviously
conclude that the librarian is an irreplaceable
link. In a full self service library, which has a
remote information section and a cyber
librarian, from which one can obtain necessary
information at any time, there is a librarian,
who indirectly participates in the process of
searching for information. In the era of
information processing, communication, and
the knowledge industry, the librarian
participates in building a new society.
Librarians are important as a professional
group and their role is not limited to passing
books. Modern library staff works toward
winning new readers, similar to commercial
organizations winning customers. A modern
human has a craving for acquiring knowledge
from childhood, and considered in it the role
of libraries and librarians. Therefore, the
libraries’ advertising promotion activities are
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tied to creating a social conviction that
libraries are a necessary link allowing the user
to realize even the most advanced information
needs. This can take place by evoking in the
reader the idea that he is important,
approached individually and professionally. In
a consumption–oriented world, the role of
information has equal importance as that of
any other need in a contemporary individual’s
life.
Readers may or may not be aware of their
information needs. The role of a librarian
consists in comforting the users and
supporting them so that they can overcome
their own fears about being in the library. To
make a user friendly image of libraries and
librarian, it is essential to adopt individual
approaches to different types of customers,
often including special–needs or elderly users
who possibly may be unable to utilize the new
technologies. The knowledge of psychology
pertaining to customer service is extremely
important in the process of the librarians’ in–
service training.
INFORMATION LITERACY AND
LIBRARIANS
Information literacy is “the ability to recognize
the need for information and to identify,
locate, access, evaluate and effectively use the
information to address and help resolve
personal, job related or broader social issues
and problems.”Professional library
associations like the Indian Library
Association (ILA), American Library
Association (ALA), Australian Library and
Information Association (ALIA) etc. are
conducting developed information literacy
programmes.
The term ‘21st century skills’ includes
information literacy skills, digital literacy
skills, media literacy skills, information and
communication skills, critical thinking and
55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010
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problem-solving skills and interpersonal and
self-directional skills. To succeed in the 21st
century, one should have all these 21st century
skills.
WHAT SHOULD THE TWENTY–FIRST
CENTURY LIBRARIAN BE LIKE?
Twenty–first century libraries heap new tasks
upon a librarian. There is a lot of difference in
the model for a hybrid librarian and a
stereotypical librarian, except in lending
books. Modernized working conditions i.e.
new library buildings, new technologies
undoubtedly, influence the changing image
and prestige of a librarian. A modern
individual wins against the stereotypical image
of a librarian. A contemporary librarian
becomes a guide in the world of knowledge,
which demands they know how to use the new
sources of information skillfully. Modern
librarians are crucial now for not only their
high level of expertise, but also for being able
to associate with the modern individuals’
personality. A 21st century librarian must be
modern, with acquiring psychological,
praxeological, social and professional
capabilities.
Psychological abilities involve self–
awareness, self–evaluation and self–control. A
librarian should always be aware of
modernizations, new resources and new
technological developments, noticing the need
for their own development, not only when
encouraged by their superiors, but also
resulting from their own motivation to learn.
The need for development must stem from the
natural predispositions in the librarian because
such skills are not provided by the education.
A librarian must be aware of his or her role
and aware of the need to constantly develop
and improve. Praxeological abilities involve
diligence, adaptation and motivation. A
librarian’s diligence is beyond question, as
meticulousness is a required characteristic and
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associated with the librarian’s profession by
society. In the twenty–first century, gradually
necessitated a change in traditional work
methods due to the technological
developments. Today, continuous professional
development is very necessary in the form of
courses, training, conferences and meetings,
and the use of new educational methods such
as e–learning or internet discussion forums.
The twenty–first century society is a learning
society; therefore by virtue of their mission,
librarians should serve as an example for other
professional groups. “Learning processes are
not only in favor of other co–employees, they
also have an impact on effectiveness and
quality of the library information services” and
a librarian must be aware of this.
A modern librarian is open to innovations and
changes. He/She has an eager and interested
attitude towards new solutions because of the
fast–paced, constantly evolving nature of
changes in libraries. A modern librarian, can
develop modern characteristics throughout
one’s professional career even after many
years of work, one does not need to be young
to be modern. The shift in the image should be
first reflected in us, following the proverb
“fine feathers make fine birds,” and it involves
the ability to evoke intended emotions in
others. The librarians’ ethic of collaborating
on improving their image as well as sharing
experiences and mutual support helps society
to perceive librarians as a strong, determined
group of professionals, aware of their socially
useful role. By utilizing social competences
such as empathy, persuasion, leadership and
cooperation a librarian can provide better
service to the society. The librarian’s
personality instantly creates a link between the
media and information for the users. The task
of librarians consists in recognizing, satisfying
and developing information, educational,
scientific, cultural needs and the needs for
entertainment. A librarian must be aware of
55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010
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technological developments and be proficient
in new technologies. Librarians play a role of
psychologists, because they are challenged to
distinguish the users’ needs appropriately and
help the user specify them.
Libraries are regarded as service providers,
while the information becomes merchandise
and a user the customer. To many people, the
library is often thought of as a place only
visited out of necessity, in order to find a
necessary item or get particular information.
The need for constant knowledge acquisition
will result in more frequent users’ visits, so it
appears crucial to make this place a pleasant
experience for the user–customer. Modern
librarians ought to change themselves with
changing image of modern libraries. Working
with pleasure, and not with a sense of
obligation, enables one to derive satisfaction
from it, and only an employee genuinely
involved in performing his or her own duties
is able to approach each specific customer–
user professionally.
Discussing professional qualifications last
might not seem to make sense; however the
essential issue appears to be the personality of
a contemporary librarian, his way of
approaching his duties and new challenges,
while education becomes only a help in
professional life to acquire knowledge. A
modern librarian should also be qualified in
terms of sources of information and using
them, not to mention keeping up with
constantly changing information resources.
For a successful librarian proficiency in
searching information and knowledge,
allowing its selection and minimizing
information noise are the basic requirements.
A librarian should also be equipped with
general knowledge, to enable him to be
conversant in a multitude of subjects. The
current model of the librarians’ university
training is directed towards improvement in
the scope of scientific information. Other
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extremely important issues are self–
improvement and training. Librarians should
serve as an example to the user living in the
learning society, and it is the conception of
lifelong learning that should be perfectly
reflected in the person of the librarian. The
two professions of computer scientist and
economist should be combined by a
contemporary librarian, because proficiency in
the use of electronic tools, and a marketing
approach to library and the marketing of its
services is the only alternative in the case of
hybrid libraries.
Barrier in Librarianship
Librarianship is not considered a prestigious
profession in the society. A low social
recognition decreases the motivation in the
professional environment. However,
librarianship is a profession with a future.
There is a demand for new specialists in form
of discipline librarians, systems librarians and
electronic information specialists etc. Each
specialization requires other competencies and
skills, and each of those presents new
challenges. A sense of professional fulfillment
and satisfaction tend to be significant factors
influencing the librarian’s motivation.
Librarians are not motivated by lucrative
career prospects. This needs to be clear to
anyone considering a career as a professional
librarian. However, “born librarians” are
guaranteed satisfying careers. Social
assessment reflects that the mission and
character of our profession remains unclear,
thereby requiring constant promotion and a
change in the stereotypical perception of a
librarian.
In the local context, unfortunately there are
still some big libraries which are entirely
dependent on print media. Automation of
libraries is still a dream while employees are
often seen performing all library house-
55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010
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keeping jobs manually. The attitudes of some
librarians having charge of important libraries
are really frustrating. As soon as they hear
about computers or computer-related
technologies in the LIS field, their first reflex
is that such things are the realm of computer
technicians, systems analysts, database
managers, not for librarians or library people.
Such behaviours on behalf of those at the head
of institutions are detrimental to the library
profession in general. They forget that
technology permeates all branches of learning,
all disciplines and every sphere of our lives.
Lawyers, engineers, medical practitioners,
people of all walks of life need Information
Technology in their daily personal and
professional lives. If librarians and library
employees are themselves not fully conversant
with Information Technology, it is difficult to
see them having a role in the information
literacy programmes. They may not be of any
assistance in bridging the digital gap.
CONCLUSION
The development of the modern world and
requirements cast upon the society imply that
librarians working among the richest sources
of information are very important individuals
providing access to information to be
transformed into knowledge. And the crucial
issue is not the debate whether the librarian is
necessary, but the question of developing the
model and standards of librarians’ activity to
become an integral part of modern society and
its consequences, and to be perceived in this
way by a more and more demanding user.
Libraries and Librarians can play a critical role
both in making their users information literate
and bridge the digital divide that exists at
local, regional or national levels. Libraries can
provide digitized full-text content, provide
free access to computers and Internet and
become national portals of digital information
resources. In the changed environment, the
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librarian’s role have to shift from that of
information locator (custodian role) to that of
an information evaluator and instructor in the
use and evaluation of information sources.
Library people have time and again
complained about lack of training to develop
ICT skills in employees. They wrongly believe
that the onus of training falls entirely on their
employers. In now days, no one is guaranteed
a job for a life time. Only those persons have
great chance of employability in such
workplaces, who train themselves by
constantly updating their skills and become
multi-skilled and who are engaged in life long
learning. In the past, employers made it a duty
to train their employees but nowadays this
responsibility is given less importance. In
difficult economic situations, they downsize
their personnel and redeploy those who suit
the new market requirements. In the local
context, our librarians and information
workers need to give a serious thought about
the exigencies of the 21st century and the
skills required to meet all the forthcoming
challenges.
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Technology for Librarians & Information
Scientists, 2002,
Galhotra, Mohan Kumar; Information
Technology in Library and Information
Services, 2008
Kabir, S. H. and Others; Changing Trends in
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55th ILA National Conference on Library & Information Science - Conference Proceedings – January 21-24, 2010
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