Information Literacy and the Public Library

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The current role of the Internet and the World Wide Web in information and communication technologies shapes the roles and functions of information professionals, including public librarians. Librarians have a responsibility to their patrons to be aware of what is emerging and how these trends can benefit them and their information needs. Librarians fulfill the roles of technology leaders and trainers, serve as advocates for the library, encourage lifelong learning, and support privacy rights. There are numerous technological trends that librarians need to be aware of, such as: social networking, mobile devices, and learning spaces.
Patrons expect librarians to be technology leaders and trainers. For many community members the library is the place they go, sometimes daily, to access the Internet, read the newspaper, learn about new technologies and devices, and interact with these technologies and devices. When patrons come to the library for help using technology it is the librarian’s responsibility to be able to help or find the help the patron needs. Librarians are accountable to community members about trends with the Internet, especially because of the important role Internet plays in the spreading of information. Being familiar with ways that patrons can connect to the Internet in and out of the library will allow librarians to give patrons the ability to connect to the information they need, in the ways they want. Computers that are provided by the library are not the only way for patrons to utilize the Internet. Librarians need to be familiar with mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets, and even watches. Learning how these devices connect to the Internet means that librarians can help patrons get connected and for li...

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...te new technology and the challenges that come along with new technology. A librarian’s role is to encourage lifelong learning by providing access to spaces for that learning to take place. Staying knowledgeable about trends involving the Internet, mobile devices, privacy issues, and ways to bring that knowledge to patrons are instrumental ideas to being a librarian.

Works Cited

Cyrus, J.W.W., Baggett, M.P. (2012). Mobile technology: implications for privacy and librarianship. The Reference Librarian, 53: 284-296
Blakiston, R. (2011). Building knowledge, skills, and abilities: continual learning in the new information landscape. Journal of Library Administration, 51: 728-743
Cohen, A. (2009). Learning spaces in public libraries. Public Library Quarterly, 28: 227-233
Griffey, J. (2010). Social networking and the library. Library Technology Reports, Nov/Dec, 34-37

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