Top Skills for Tomorrow's Librarians

摘要

LJ reached out to academic and public library directors and other thought leaders nationwide to find out what new skills they expect to need in librarians in the next 20 years. The 11 listed below emerged as the essentials. Not complete departures, rather they build on trends already in evidence. 1. Advocacy/Politics. This key competency has two distinct but overlapping paths: raising awareness of value among stakeholders, with an eye to maintaining or increasing funding, and building community, organization, and outreach, with an eye to expanding those services and effectively serving the constituencies who need them. According to Patrick Losinski, CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH (2010 LJ Library of the Year), the field needs "people who are very comfortable in the public sphere. Must participate and be proactive-not rely on past reactive methods." To get there, says Rivkah K. Sass, director of the Sacramento Public Library, CA, and the 2006 LJ Librarian of the Year, "Library education that includes courses in public policy, budget advocacy, and building partnerships will be more critical than ever."