The self‐education of systems librarians
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830310494445 |
| Pages | 273-279 |
| Date | 01 September 2003 |
| Published date | 01 September 2003 |
| Author | Mark Jordan |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
The self-education of
systems librarians
Mark Jordan
Introduction
It is a given that all librarians must continually
learn new skills, new tools, and new approaches
to managing and providing access to
information. For systems librarians, this basic
characteristic of their jobs requires that they
respond to developments in technology at a
number of levels ± they must keep current with
what technologies are available (often from
outside the traditional library sector), they must
evaluate technologies so they can make
informed decisions about using those
technologies, and they must develop practical
plans for implementing those technologies.
Like all librarians, systems librarians receive
formal training through pre-service education in
library schools, on the job training, and
professional development in the form of
workshops, courses, and conferences. While
this formal training is undoubtedly important,
the ability to learn new technologies
independently lies at the foundation of systems
librarians' professional life, because they often
have to use technologies, or make planning
decisions about specific technologies, before
they become common enough to be the subject
of formal training sessions.
People interested in entering systems
librarianship have rich opportunities to develop
relevant skills, experience, and attitudes outside
the context of formal training. This is truer now
than ever before: easily available software tools,
hardware that is becoming cheaper and more
powerful every day, and open standards (many
driven by the versatility of XML) allow both
students in library schools and new librarians to
get practical experience with many of the skills
that working systems librarians use every day.
Most importantly, developing enthusiastic
attitudes and habits toward technology by
taking advantage of these opportunities will
prepare people interested in systems
librarianship for the constant change that will
drive their daily working lives throughout their
careers.
What is a systems librarian?
Defined briefly, a systems librarian is a
librarian[1] who is responsible for managing the
The author
Mark Jordan is Acting Coordinator of Library Systems, WAC
Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British
Columbia, Canada.
Keywords
System monitoring, Librarians, Education, Training,
Attitudes
Abstract
This article outlines the common duties and responsibilities
of systems librarians, and describes how library school
students and others interested in entering the field can take
advantage of freely available tools to gain relevant
experience. It discusses attitudes and traits of systems
librarians and their importance to potential and practicing
systems librarians. It also lists and describes technologies
that people entering systems librarianship can use to gain
experience.
Electronic access
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
273
Library Hi Tech
Volume 21 .Number 3 .2003 .pp. 273-279
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830310494445
To continue reading
Request your trial