Librarians and the informed user: Reorienting library and information science education for the “information society”

Author: Johnson, Ian M

Source: Librarian Career Development, Volume 7, Number 4, 1999 , pp. 29-42(14)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

This paper points to the challenges arising from the emergency of the "information society": the high level of skills required to take full advantage of the new information and communication technologies, and their expanding information content; a greater awareness of information and its potential contribution to all aspects of life; and the social and political challenges of ensuring equality in information provision. It considers the need for information professionals to have a greater commitment to user empowerment; a higher level of skills in facilitating the use of information; and a more visible and effective presence in the "political" arena. It discusses some solutions which have been adopted by schools of librarianship in the UK to help students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm, and some of the outstanding areas for development: broader perspectives in the context of information work, and the encouragement of continuing professional development.

Keywords: Education; Information Superhighway; Librarians; Library Users

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09680819910276941

Publication date: 1999-04-01

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