This document discusses the qualities of a 21st century librarian. It identifies key skills like technology proficiency, library research and statistics, education and outreach, leadership, copyright knowledge, technical writing, and adaptability. The document provides examples of how these skills are applied, such as using programs for reference management, digital archives, online exhibits, and open licensing tools. It emphasizes that while technology and skills evolve, librarians must maintain core values of access, privacy, lifelong learning, and public service.
British Library Labs and Competition Presentation at the Open University
Striking an Ideal Balance
1. Striking an Ideal Balance:
Being a Librarian in the 21st Century
Pratt Institute
Assistant to Director
McEntegart Hall Library
St. Joseph’s College
Caitlin Bronner, MLIS (Candidate, May 2013)
2. Purpose
Describe:
• Qualities of a 21st century librarian
• How we can deliver information in the best ways possible
• How we can keep up with a changing environment
Provide Examples of:
• My skills by providing project examples
3. Characteristics of a 21st
Century Librarian
• Technology
• Library Research & Statistics
• Education & Outreach
• Leadership/Management Skills
• Copyright and Fair Use
• Technical & Professional Writing Skills
• Ability to be innovative and adaptable, while maintaining
the core values and mission of librarianship
4. Technology...
...is increasingly at the center of everything libraries do.
...is changing collection development because so much
information is available online or in electronic form.
...enhances communication between librarians and patrons.
...enables better decision-making in the library.
...saves time.
5. Technology Examples
Gimlet -
Program that manages Reference/Circulation desk statistics,
generates reports and allows for easier statistical analysis
6. Flickr www.flickr.com
• Program that allows users to digitally archive
their photos
• Users can organize their photos into sets and
collections
• Photos can be made available online free of
charge to the public (or kept private)
• Free method of library promotion
• Also a great source to find images for reuse
7. Omeka omeka.org; omeka.net
"Omeka is a free, flexible, and open source web-
publishing platform for the display of library,
museum, archives, and scholarly collections
and exhibitions."
• Allows museums, libraries and personal users to create
high quality online exhibitions using free and open
source software that is designed with the non-IT user in
mind.
[Retrieved from: omeka.org/about/]
8. Creative Commons
creativecommons.org
• Types of copyright licenses
• Websitein a free andusers to upload, share and reuse
content
that allows
legal way
• A nonprofit organization that enables thefree legal and
use of creativity and knowledge through
sharing
tools.
By John Randell [Public
domain], via Wikimedia
Commons
9. Open Access &
Open Source
• Free
• Accessible to all (with internet access)
• Breaks down barriers to information
• Fosters a culture of collaboration among
academics, scholars and the public
• Supports the idea that knowledge is meant to
be shared (which is a good thing!)
• Directory of Open Access Journals: doaj.org
10. LibGuides: springshare.com/libguides/
• Guides can be subject, assignment, location
or course specific
• Usually created by librarians
• I've created LibGuides for Mathematics,
Accounting, Computer Science and History
at St. Joseph's College
11. Library Research & Statistics
• In-house qualitative and quantitative
research
• Needs assessments
• Grant Writing
• Funding Justification
13. Leadership/Management Skills
Important because:
• Libraries & information centers have less administrative
personnel than ever before, so librarians are often being
placed in leadership roles
• It’s important to be prepared for the future
…and to be a role model!
14. Copyright & Fair Use
As 21st century librarians, we need to know:
• What constitutes fair use and copyright infringement
• General copyright knowledge
Cool Tools from American Library Association's
(ALA) Copyright Office:
Section 108 Spinner
Public Domain Slider
Fair use Evaluator
Adapted from the ALA's Copyright Office,
[Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/copyright]
15. Technical & Professional
Writing Skills
• Library policies & procedures
• Grant writing
• Publication
• Networking & professional
correspondence
16. Maintaining Our Core
Values & Mission
The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom and their Foundation of Modern
Librarianship list the core values of librarianship as follows:
-Access
-Privacy/Confidentiality
-Democracy
-Diversity
-Education & Lifelong Learning
-Intellectual Freedom
-Preservation
-The Public Good
-Professionalism
-Service
-Social Responsibility
17. Conclusion
As librarians in the 21st century, we have many
responsibilities and many hats to wear, but the relevant
skills and passion we bring to our work will allow us to be
successful in our mission of providing the best possible
services and resources to our communities.
19. ...what the future may bring!
Children play educational games on an iTable in Denmark
Photo courtesy of 21st Century Analog Boy Blog
[http://21stcenturyanalogboy.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/the-childrens-library-of-the-future]/
