Careers in Information and Libraries
Information and knowledge-based industries are an area of growth in the developed economies. At the heart of the success of modern organizations lies the efficient gathering, processing, storage and dissemination of information and the parallel development and maintenance of suitable information systems. The globalization of markets and the 'turbulence' of the business environment means that in most industries and employment sectors information or knowledge systems play a major role. The growing use of information technology in the workplace has increased the awareness of the role that information itself plays in our lives. Consequently, graduates with information or knowledge management skills are widely employable.
Job Titles
The range of information work is suggested by the diversity of job titles:
Archivist, Assistant Librarian, Business Intelligence Officer, Careers Information Adviser, Cataloguer, Clinical Librarian, Communications Officer, Computing Biologist, Content Manager, Database Administrator, Data Mining Analyst, Digital Projects Librarian, Digitisation Project Manager, E-content Manager, Editorial Assistant, Electronic Resources Librarian, Freedom of Information officer, Head of e-Strategy and Development, Information Advisor, Information Literacy Coordinator, Information Manager, Information Officer, Information Scientist, IT Consultant, Knowledge Officer, Learning Advisor, Learning Resources Manager, Learning Technologist, Law Librarian, Online Database Administrator, Patent Examiner, Publisher, Reader Services Librarian, Records Manager, Repository Librarian, Systems Analyst, Technical Support Scientist, Tourist Information Officer, Web Editor, Web Page Designer.
Employment Sectors
Given the ubiquitous nature of information and systems to support the use and management of information, jobs in information and library work are to be found in virtually all employment sectors.
The information and library work in these organizations may be within a conventional library, or in a specialist information service or information unit. Alternatively, the work may come under some other department such as IT and computing, research, support services etc.
Typical Professional Activities
There are a number of activities and tasks that are central to jobs in the library and information sector and these are listed below.
- Finding, researching, retrieving, organizing, analysing, evaluating and disseminating information. These activities are the basis of all information work.
- Selecting, buying, cataloguing and indexing books, web pages and other information resources.
- Providing support in the use of information resources, information services and IT systems. Providing enquiry services.
- Designing and managing web sites and databases. Writing web pages and printed guides to information.
- Teaching people to become more information literate. This means learning to find information effectively, to evaluate and use it and to appreciate the critical value of information.
- Developing and managing IT systems.
- Studying how people use information and designing systems to help them. Managing less formal forms of knowledge and fostering collaboration.
- Managing information services and developing corporate strategies and policies to recognise the value of information. At this level, in the role as head of service, you are responsible for the entire range of activities relating to information in an organisation.
Other Skills in Information Work
There is scope for graduates of any discipline to take up a career in information work. In addition, to the technical professional skills required to achieve the tasks listed above, such a career will mean developing a working knowledge of IT and computer systems. Most jobs in information work will also involve communicating with people, whether they be the general public, your colleagues in your own organization, or your clients in other organizations. You will need to have good interpersonal and communication skills to succeed. A logical and methodical approach to work is also important. Good levels of general knowledge and the ability to develop new specialist knowledge are important too. Some work may involve complex tasks such as devising and implementing new systems so a creative approach to work and the ability to work in teams is essential.
Graduates in information work are always required in the education and IT sectors. There is a long standing area of work in public libraries and in other public sector organisations, such as the NHS. In business, information and knowledge are increasingly recognised as critical to competitive advantage. There are always opportunities in publishing.