Scope

• Because of the ever-growing use of library automation and online information resources, there is a growing need for information professionals with electronic information skills.
• There is, in fact, a shortage of librarians with these skills (particularly in industry), so library technicians (LTs) have been assuming more-and-more responsibilities involving information technologies.
• This has been a result of several factors:
  • Increase in the application of computer and communications technologies to all parts of library operations.
  • Limited library budgets that precluded hiring the services of enough systems professionals.
  • Unavailability of potential personnel available to fill positions requiring information technology skills.
  • Greater acceptance of the ability of library paraprofessionals to do jobs once considered the exclusive domain of librarians.

Possible Information Technology Responsibilities Involving Databases

• Currently, LTs somewhere are doing some or all of the below jobs:
  • Copy cataloging (and original cataloging)
  • Interlibrary loan
  • Reference
  • Acquisitions
  • Systems management and maintenance
  • Web page/site design and maintenance
  • Circulation
• At Foothill College Library, for example, LTs have done all of them.

What the library employment agencies are looking for in database skills

• The information professions temp employment agency, AIM (Advanced Information Management), for example, frequently needs people with skills in such database tools as:
  • Dialog
  • OCLC
  • RLIN
  • Lexis-Nexis
  • Westlaw
  • Dow Jones
  • Dun & Bradstreet
  • Medline
• Those people with subject knowledge in such fields as biotechnology, law, or business are even more desirable.

To: LT65 INDEX	To: GREENSHEET	To:	To: TOP OF PAGE:
So many urls. So little time.TM
(c) 1996-2003 - optimized for Netscape & 800x600 display