Modern-day Librarians

Title: Role of Librarian in Internet and World Wide Web Environment
Author: K. Nageswara Rao and KH Babu
Publisher: Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Kanchanbagh Post, India
URL: inform.nu/Articles/Vol4/v4n1p025-034.pdf

Abstract

This article presents the current information environment brought about by the Internet and the World Wide Web. It situates librarians within the limitless scope of the Internet and how it has changed the fundamental roles, paradigms, and organizational culture of libraries and librarians. Additionally, it examines the impact of the Internet on librarians through a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and identifies the roles that librarians need to adopt as opportunities to improve their profession and services.

Three-Point Learning

1. The term "Global Village" describes the scenario where seamless access to information available anywhere on the globe has brought people closer together.

2. Rather than being a threat to librarians, Intelligent Agent Technology should be employed to give librarians more time to perform other interesting tasks.

3. Online catalogs and e-newsletters/journals are just a few of the numerous opportunities for librarians in the Internet and Web environment to provide information services easily, timely, and appropriately to users.

Applications

I realize that librarians and information specialists play a significant role in our current information environment. As a project development officer, I should advocate for developing programs that educate librarians about their important role in society and equip them with the appropriate skills to perform new tasks.