Capability Development: re-visiting core competencies for information professionals

1. Capability Development: re-visiting core competencies for information professionals Azahar Mohd Noor Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya Library Innovation Talk 2014, UNITAR International University, 26th August 2014

2. Objectives & Outline • New ways of doing things:-Learning from others (lessons Learnt / best practices)To keep up with new ideas and methods in Librarianship • Process Improvement:-Focus or emphasis on necessity of delivery quality services which is truly user-centered. • Optimising new skills:-To strengthen competencies on librarianship and knowledge management in aligning with the changing information landscape

3. Part 1 : Librarianship : Challenges & Issues

4. Check it out ! Some Troubling statistics Where do you typically begin your search for information on a particular topic? University Students Response: • 92 % Search engines (Google 62%) • 2% Library Web Site (total respondents -> 1%) • 2% Online Database • 1% E-mail • 1% Online News • 1% Online bookstores • 1 % Instant Messaging / Online Chat

5. Check it out ! Something to ponder … Ranking of Librarians -1999 • Librarians rank ninth-lowest in job stress, about the same as a bookkeeper. Potential job growth for the profession is depressed, with librarians having the fifth-lowest prospects. • Librarians came in 108th in overall scores, right between shipping/receiving clerk and guard. • Krantz, L.(1999). Librarian ranks low in stress and job outlook. Retrieved from http//www.ala.org/

6. Check it Out ! Something to ponder …. Ranking of Librarians -2011 • CareerCast rated 200 jobs based on income, working environment, stress, physical demands and job outlook, using data from Labor Dept. and U.S Cencus and researchers’ own expertise.

7. User requirements nowadays Answer & solution for every problem asked Information availability at anytime anywhere ‘Personalised service.’ Enough training & motivation in information searching

8. What is career excellence in Librarianship ? • Attainment of high office and status? • Help libraries/profession create impact • Making a difference to the intellectual life and learning outcome of people through • library services

9. What makes a librarian a professional? Education & training Delivery of service & expertise Knowledge base Experience Contribution

10. Librarians - Learning from Ranganathan (1931) 83 YEARS OF USER-CENTRIC VIEW FIVE LAWS OF LIBRARY SCIENCE Books are for use Every reader his[her] book Every book its reader Save the time of the reader The Library is a growing Organism • Focus on enabling people with knowledge • Cater to people who have diverse interests • Readers/users are at the centre of the library • Readers seek knowledge to empower themselves

11. 5 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR LIBRARIANS • Librarians are experts • 2. Every librarian a friend of users • 3. Every encounter with users should add value to them • 4. Users must have high demand & expectation of librarians • 5. The Library’s critical role in knowledge work must be widely recognized and acknowledged • Source : (2012) Choy Fatt Cheong

13. Part 2 : Librarianship & Knowledge Management Competencies

14. NEW ROLE FOR PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIAN FROM INFORMATION MANAGEMENT TO KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

15. IMPLICATIONS FOR “PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS” AS “INFORMATION MANAGERS” Issues to Consider • What competencies to develop? • Information retrieval & processing • Taxonomy – develop/apply • KM technology (beyond ILS/Internet) • Information repackaging & consolidation • 2. What approach to use? • Expert collaboration (Forums, Bloggs, CoPs, Brainstorming Sessions) • Interactive portal modules • 3. What strategies to adopt? • Explicit – Information re-packing and consolidation • Tacit – SECI • 4. Is Knowledge Management the new frontier? • 5. Do Information Managers have the relevant competencies? • Source : (2012) Dato’ Dr ZaitonOsman

16. What Practising Librarians are saying about KM “Librarians including head librarians do not practice any management function; or, even participate in these functions. They are just like ordinary personnel of the university.” – Univ President Much of what is called knowledge management today is library science rebranded. It isn't new to us. Some librarians may not be able to talk the same talk as a KM manager but that is because the language has changed – Librarian-cum-knowledge Manager I’m not writing to criticize KM per se, but to express concern at what happens when KM is left in charge of the library – at least from my own experience. I’ve seen that in this situation, KM ends up cannibalizing the library, creating a two tiered system in which the library is definitely subordinate. The library remains responsible for reference, document delivery and training; time intensive activities which KM doesn’t want to be burdened with. Cataloging remains with the library by default, but it is not appreciated or understood by the KM masters and is marginalized. – law Librarian

17. Librarianship - Competencies

19. Librarianship Competencies / Assessment Tools Library Performance Management Oral History & Transcription Organisation of Knowledge Information Storage & Retrieval Preservation and Conservation Knowledge Management Evaluation, Research & Synthesis Knowledge & Evaluation of Information Sources Information Needs Analysis Collection Development Planning for Library Information Services Awareness Knowledge Skill Advance Expert

20. Repeatingpast successes Transferring knowledge from expert to novice Making best use of our experts and people Reducing information overload Retaining company knowledge Knowledge Creating New Knowledge Managementis about…. Ensuring less wasted time, effort and costs Improving skills Avoiding past mistakes Sharing best practices between teams

21. Competencies for each KM Function and the Expected Proficiency Levels 1-Awareness, 2-Knowledge, 3-Skill, 4-Advanced, 5-Expert .

22. Having the right competencies is critical to ensure success & sustainability You may… IDEAS TIME EFFORT

23. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !