Insights of LIS Professionals Regarding the Skills Needed in Special Libraries Mushtaq Muzamil1*, Ahmad Nabeel22 1Assistant Professor and Project Director (IMPRESS-ICSSR), Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India 2Field Investigator (IMPRESS-ICSSR), Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India *Corresponding author Email id: *naikoomuzamil@gmail.com
2nabeel.ahmad20@gmail.com
Abstract The present study tried to identify the employability skills needed by the LIS professionals to work well in special libraries. A questionnaire as a data collection tool was used to collect responses of LIS professionals who are working in different special libraries in New Delhi. A total of 23 responses were received from LIS Professionals who performed duties in different sections of the libraries. The study found that with the changing landscape of librarianship, new scientific and technical skills are in high demand; however, new desired skills are missing among recent LIS graduates. There are many factors responsible for lacking the appropriate skills; however, the majority of the professionals believe that the LIS curriculum and training imparted in LIS schools of the country are not providing sufficient abilities needed in the workplace, and the courses are not relevant to the new changing interfaces of libraries and information centres. Such a study will help suggest a new need-based curriculum emphasising new changing skills and abilities in LIS expertise and help frame special training courses for LIS schools to fill the gap of skills needed and imparted. Top Keywords Employability skills, LIS curriculum, Need-based curriculum, Special courses, Special libraries, Training programs. Top |