In her opening keynote for the Library 2.014 Worldwide Virtual Conference, Dr. Sandra Hirsh, professor and director of the San Jose State University (SJSU) School of Information, discussed the role of information professionals in a global community and the importance of the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. Hirsh also talked about how information professionals can become “rock stars” in their organizations and information environments. The Library 2.014 Worldwide Virtual Conference is the fourth annual event in a series of free virtual conferences co-founded by the SJSU School of Information. The role of libraries in the digital age is the theme of the free international conference. Session recordings can be accessed at http://www.library20.com/page/2014-recordings

1. Working in a Global Environment – Success Strategies for Today’s
Information Professional
Dr. Sandra Hirsh, Professor and Director
October 2014

2. 2
Objectives
1. The transcendence of the
“information professional”
2. Roles in the global environment
3. Essential value of the MLIS
4. How to become a Rockstar in your
organization, community, and global
environment.

3. 3
The Transcendence of the “Library”

4. 4
The “Traditional” Library
Library: a place where books, magazines, and
other materials (such as videos and musical
recordings) are available for people to use or
borrow.

5. 5
The “Librarian” Stereotype
Librarian: a specialist in the care
and management of a library

6. 6
LIBRARIAN
Day in the Life of a
“Librarian” Book
preserver
Cataloger
Readers
advisory
Resource
finder
Archivist
Children
services

7. 7
Traditional Librarian
Qualifications
Character Traits: Foundational Skills
Vitality Information sources
Courage Collection management
Intelligence Reference Interviews
Sensitiveness Critical thinking skills
Dedication

8. 8
“The “Librarian” Portrayed in Films
 “Library Clerk”
The Forgotten
 “Archives Clerk”
The Changeling
 “Lady at Library”
Threesome
 “Girl in Library”
Rollerball
 “Shushing Lady”
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold
 “Book Man”
Ricochet
At the Gotham City
library, Barbara
Gordon helps Bruce
Wayne find a book on
butterflies so he can
prove a point to a
friend, a millionaire
explorer.

9. 9
Emerging Technologies
Redefine Libraries and Library
Services

10. Stephens, M. (2011, February). The hyperlinked library [White paper]. Tame The Web (TTW).
Retrieved from http://mooc.hyperlib.sjsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/StephensHyperlinkedLibrary2011.pdf
“When asked what I see for the future of
libraries – all kinds of libraries - I imagine a
space where users will connect, collaborate,
create, and care.”
(Stephens, 2011)
That future is now…

11. 11
Key Trends Impacting the
Libraries
1) Technologies expand and limit who has
access
2) Online education will democratize and
disrupt global learning
3) The boundaries of privacy and data
protection have been redefined
4) Hyper-connected societies listen to and
empower new voices
5) The global information environment
continues to be transformed with new
technologies
IFLA. (2013). Riding the Waves or Caught in the tide? Navigating the Evolving Information Environment.
Insights from the IFLA Trend Report. Retrieved from: http://trends.ifla.org/

12. 12
Mobile Internet
APPLICATIONS
Increasingly inexpensive
Work, learn, and play anywhere/anytime
Increase worker productivity
Efficient service delivery

13. 13
Cloud Computing
Component Technologies
• Data-center hardware
• High speed networks
• Virtual meetings
APPLICATIONS
Enterprise IT productivity
Online storage
Web, office, & mobile access anywhere

14. 14
Information is now available
To Anyone…
Anywhere…
Anytime…

15. 15
Tech Adoption Across All Ages
IMAGE - Rainie, L. (2013). Reinventing of Libraries: The keys to the future in 7 questions. Pew Internet
http://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2013/Jun/The-reinvention-of-libraries.aspx

16. 16
Today’s “Information Organization”
Now Open
24/7/365

17. 17
Information Organizations Are
“Mobile”

18. 18
New Focus:
Point of Demand Service
• Libraries can potentially operate 24x7
• Provide services without regard to
location or person
• Available at the point of demand
• Users can access information and receive
real-time guidance from librarians

19. 19
Point of Demand Service
“Anywhere-Anytime”
• Initiated electronically
• Involves MORE THAN just searching materials
online
• Patrons access information professionals using
computers and mobile technology
• Communication via chat, videoconferencing,
co-browsing, email, and instant messages
• Response and follow-up may occur via
telephone, fax, in person, or via mail.

20. 20
Point of Demand Service
- User Directed Access
• Patron driven access services
• Self check-out
• Student workstations
• Learning commons
• Collaborative spaces

21. 21
Information Organizations Are
“Accessible”
A student signs out a MacBook at the new kiosk
located in the University's Hagerty Library.
http://www.drexel.edu/now/news-media/releases/archive/2013/January/Drexel-Libraries-Introduces-
MacBook-Kiosk/

22. 22
http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/commons/
Information Organizations Are
“Flexible”

23. 23
Information Organizations are
“Creative and Playful”
http://acrl.ala.org/techconnect/?p=2340

24. 24
The Information Organization
“Engaging with Technology”

25. 25
Today’s information organizations
must
• Become the essential, one-stop resource
for information and technical literacy
instruction;
• Provide access to mobile and online
learning resources;
• Integrate as many emerging technologies
into their services as possible; and,
• Provide an environment of exploration and
play to learn these new technologies.

26. 26
Today’s
“Information Professional”
• Emerging services librarian
• Director of digital content
• Digital asset coordinator
• Digitization and services
coordinator
• Virtual services librarian
• E-librarian
• Distance learning librarian
• Metadata librarian
• Community engagement
librarian

27. 27
Source: http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/downloads/emerging_trends_2012.pdfr
• Digital product manager
• Digital strategist
• Lead metadata architect
• Cloud metadata specialist
• Systems administrator
• Information architect-Taxonomy
• Earned Media Officer
• Open Source Manager
• Chief Data Scientist
• Web developer
Job Titles Outside the Library
Environment

28. 28
Day in the Life of Today’s
Information Professional
“Today’s Librarian Wordle” by The Unquiet Librarian via Flickr

29. 29
All the “traditional”
skills plus….
• Web development
• Project management
• Systems developments
• Systems applications
• Information literacy
instruction
• Digital libraries
21st Century
Librarian Qualifications
Image source: https://monarchlibrary.wikispaces.com/librarian

30. 30
Essential Skills for Today’s
Information Landscape
• Technological skills
• Project management skills
• Marketing and advocacy skills
• Interpersonal and collaborative skills
• Ability to organize physical and digital items
and collections
• Knowledge of emerging trends/technologies
• Ability to facilitate the provision of information
to various audiences

31. 31
The Value of the MLIS Degree
One degree – Multiple Pathways

32. 32
Pathway Category LIS Pathways
Digital Libraries Digital Humanities
Digital Information
Management
Digital Libraries
Information Architecture, Design, &
Programming
Information Architecture
Knowledge Management Design
Web Programming
Information Systems Designs/Analysis
Information Technology Emerging Technologies
Library Technology Management
Information & Communication Technologies
Socio-Technical Human Computer Interaction
Social Computing
Social Media
Socio-technical Data Analytics
Data Curation Big Data Curation & Management
Data Curation
Other Lifelong Access
Informatics
Global Media & Research Analysis
E-Government
Total Technology Pathways in LIS Curriculum
No Technology Pathway* n/a
Multiple Pathways for the LIS Professional

33. 33
• Strategic knowledge and advantage
• Results driven problem solving
• Research and analysis
• Competitive intelligence
• Provide “value-added” solutions
• Thinking outside the box
LIS Career Skills:
Beyond Reference Services
There’s a Pathway for that:
Information Organization,
Description, Analysis and Retrieval
Librarian
AISSMS College of
Engineering
Pune, India

34. 34
• Collect, organize and evaluate data
• Knowledge of services
• PC and web skills
• Problem solving
• Learn new technology quickly
• Leadership
LIS Career Skills:
Reference Services
There’s a Pathway for that:
Academic Librarianship; The
Information & Learning Commons
Graduate Student Worker
Princeton Theological
Seminary
Princeton, NJ
http://librarianwardrobe.com/

35. 35
• Database & search techniques
• Analytic skills
• Instruction experience
• Integrated library systems
• Leadership
• Working well with diverse populations
• Communication & interpersonal skills
LIS Career Skills:
Skills for Instruction and Outreach
There’s a Pathway for that:
Information Intermediation &
Instruction

36. 36
• Marketing and Sales
• People management
• Public speaking and presentations
• Decision making
• Financial and budget management
• Meeting and event planning
• Instruction and teaching
• Project management
LIS Career Skills:
Business and Managerial Skills
There’s a Pathway for that:
Leadership and Management

37. 37
“Technical or technological skills have
always been important elements for
long-term career success, but growing
your soft skills – such as management,
interpersonal relations, listening,
influencing skills, and empathy – can
make the difference between a
competent professional and a great
leader.”
(Stephen Abram, 2013)

38. 38
How to Become a “Rockstar”
Information Professional
• Professional
Development
• Networking
• Volunteering
• Presentations

39. 39
Professional Development
Attend workshops and seminars
Participate in the Library 2.014 Virtual Conference
Attend conferences and sessions to learn from
the industry leaders
Participate in a MOOC and pick up courses to
supplement your MLIS
Strategies for Success

40. 40
Networking
• Join Professional Associations
• Join a Committee
• Attend Conferences
• Attend Local LIS events
• Engage in LIS Activities – within and
outside the library environment
(volunteer, do information interviews, meet staff)
• Community Involvement
• Utilize Social Networks
• Participate in Discussion Boards
Strategies for Success

41. 41
Become a Volunteer
• Volunteer and participate in programs that
interests you, or get involved with
community or corporate event.
• Volunteer at conferences – engage with
other professionals from across the world
• Get involved in your local professional
organizations.
Strategies for Success

42. 42
Presentations
• Participate as a presenter in next
year’s Library 2.015 virtual
conference
• Submit presentation proposals to local
conferences
• Offer online or in-person
presentations
Strategies for Success

43. 43
Strategies for Success
Engage in the Global Information
Community
- Develop a Global PLN
- Engage in online forums and social media
- Explore ideas with others worldwide
Where to begin:
- International Federal of Library
Associations and Institutions
- Special Libraries Association
- The International Librarians Network

44. 44
Information professionals “have the
opportunity to develop initiatives
that…make library tools available at the
point of need for users, enable users to
interface with information in a natural and
personalized manner, and allow [users] to
design their own learning outcomes.”
(Bolorizadeh, 2012)

45. 45
“No matter what you do, look
for opportunities to make a
difference outside your
immediate role. You might
even find that you’ve carved
out a new position that your
company now needs. In my
experience, those who
exemplify this tend to be the
rockstars!” (Taparia 2014)

46. 46
“You are your own best
asset and every investment
in yourself never goes for
naught.”
(Stephen Abram, 2013)

47. 47
Thank you for attending!
Dr. Sandy Hirsh, Professor and Director
sandy.hirsh@sjsu.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/sjsuischool
Twitter: twitter.com/sjsuischool
Pinterest: pinterest.com/sjsuischool/
YouTube: youtube.com/user/sjsuslis
ischool.sjsu.edu