Role changing for librarians in the new information technology era

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to show how implementing new information technology has expanded the role of librarians as educators and how this role has matched the evolution of new technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at librarians' approaches to their role as educators and explores ways of most effectively implementing changes. By reviewing the literature and taking the old discourse around library education and information literacy, the paper reflects on the changing role of librarians in an era of greater access to technology, including Web 2.0.

Findings

Collaboration with faculty was found to be an essential feature of the most successful stories. Teaching students and faculty to use new information technologies may have become one of the major roles of librarians.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that the continual evolution of the web is causing a move from e‐libraries to mobile libraries, and that the educational role of the librarians must encompass this trend, and to anticipate similar future developments.

Citation

Sun, H., Chen, K., Tseng, C. and Tsai, W. (2011), "Role changing for librarians in the new information technology era", New Library World, Vol. 112 No. 7/8, pp. 321-333. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074801111150459