Rethinking Information Work


Book Description

A state-of-the-art guide to the world of library and information science that gives readers valuable insights into the field and practical tools to succeed in it. As the field of information science continues to evolve, professional-level opportunities in traditional librarianship—especially in school and public libraries—have stalled and contracted, while at the same time information-related opportunities in non-library settings continue to expand. These two coinciding trends are opening up many new job opportunities for LIS professionals, but the challenge lies in helping them (and LIS students) understand how to align their skills and mindsets with these new opportunities.The new edition of G. Kim Dority's Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals gives readers helpful information on self-development, including learning to thrive on change, using key career skills like professional networking and brand-building, and how to make wise professional choices. Taking readers through a planning process that starts with self-examination and ends in creating an actionable career path, the book presents an expansive approach that considers all LIS career possibilities and introduces readers to new opportunities. This guide is appropriate for those embarking on careers in library and information science as well as those looking to make a change, providing career design strategies that can be used to build a lifetime of career opportunity.




Mid-Career Library and Information Professionals


Book Description

As librarians move into the middle of their careers, they are more ready than ever to take on new leadership opportunities. Literature on leadership is expanding in the field of library and information sciences, and more and more seminars and workshops are being offered for new and seasoned leaders. This book asks the questions: 'What about us?' and, 'Where is the leadership advice and training for those who are no longer new librarians, but are also not yet seasoned leaders?' The title illustrates how to work the middle, from being in the sophomore slump progressing to the next leaders in the field, to look for perspectives from others who are in the middle of their career, and how they have developed into leaders, ways to develop one's own style of leadership and grow one's career and future as a librarian and information professional. - Perspectives on leadership from mid-career information professionals - Tips and tools on how to become a leader from the middle of your career - A how-to guide on making changes from the middle




The Librarian's Skillbook


Book Description

Having the right skillset is essential for successful growth and advancement at every stage in your career. Regardless of your current level of experience and expertise, The Librarian's Skillbook, which reveals the 51 hottest, most sought after library/information skills in today's workplace, is your personal ticket to a new or enhanced career. Once you have selected the most important skills you need to advance your career, The Librarian's Skillbook unveils six surefire strategies for acquiring new skills or leveraging your existing skillset to obtain a promotion, find and procure your dream job or embark upon a whole new career. The Librarian's Skillbook also helps librarians, information professionals and other knowledge workers devise a customized plan to acquire the skills they need to move their careers to the next level and beyond. The skills presented in The Librarian's Skillbook are divided into six broad categories: Computer/Technical Skills Beyond Reference Skills Business and Management Skills Interpersonal Skills Attitude Skills Intangible Skills To help the reader follow through the process of developing new skills, The Librarian's Skillbook also includes a "Further Reading" section and a "Bibliography" which list additional resources where readers can learn more about each skill. The text also includes "This Skill in Action," presenting readers with a mini case study for most skills to help them visualize how that skill may be typically applied in the workplace. The Librarian's Skillbook is a road map for acquiring skills that make librarians and information professionals essential to their organizations. Readers may elect to pick and choose among the list of 51 skills to pursue those skills they deem most useful to advance their own careers. The Librarian's Skillbook is a must read for those students, librarians and information professionals who want to become more employable or improve their prospects for advancement.




Managing Careers


Book Description




Strategies for Regenerating the Library and Information Profession


Book Description

This volume comprises papers prepared for the 8th World Conference on Continuing Professional Development (Bologna, Italy, 18-20 August 2009). Within the broad theme of creating a positive work environment for a multi-generational workforce in library and information organizations, the conference addresses managing between and across generations, mentoring and coaching, attracting people to the profession and developing a new generation of leaders, re-skilling and transferability of skills, succession planning and passing on knowledge.




Working in the Virtual Stacks


Book Description

Written in a warm and personal style, Working in the Virtual Stacks presents an exciting future for librarians, already upon us today!




The Expert Library


Book Description

In the midst of a decade of extraordinary change in academic libraries--change driven by information technology, new approaches to teaching and learning, new models for scholarly communication, and new expectations for the ways we will discover, share, and make use of information--there is nothing so important to the future of the library and its continued place at the heart of the academic enterprise than its people and the expertise that they bring to the design, development, and delivery of library services. What will those services be, and who will provide them? The Expert Library provides an overview of the changing dynamics entailed in recruiting and retaining academic library professionals for the 21st century and contains fresh thinking and insights into what will be required to ensure continued library relevance and success through its people. --Publisher's description.




The Information and Knowledge Professional's Career Handbook


Book Description

The definitive guide to developing and managing a successful career in the information profession: Information Professionals and Knowledge Managers deal with significant challenges in building successful careers for a number of reasons associated with common misperceptions of their expertise and roles. In environments where they must often justify their work and value over and over again, those already in the profession need a boost and those just entering need to be prepared for a reality that may differ quite a bit from their expectations. The book is intended to give readers a set of tools and techniques with which to secure a strong career, build an effective brand, and succeed as professionals.Click Here to view the official page for this title on Facebook. - Written by opinion leaders and highly respected authorities in the field - Draws upon 50-plus years of experience in a variety of settings and roles - Offers realistic and honest pointers - no sugar-coating




Handbook of Academic Writing for Librarians


Book Description

The Handbook of Academic Writing for Librarians is the most complete reference source available for librarians who need or desire to publish in the professional literature. The Handbook addresses issues and requirements of scholarly writing and publishing in a start-to-finish manner. Standard formats of scholarly writing are addressed: research papers, articles, and books. Sections and chapters include topics such as developing scholarly writing projects in library science, the improvement of academic writing, understanding and managing the peer review process including submission, revision, and how to handle rejection and acceptance, assessing appropriateness of publishing outlets, and copyright.




Career Paths and Career Development of Business Librarians


Book Description

Contributors provide insights about business librarianship in various types of institutions, explore traditional and non-traditional career paths in business librarianship, and discuss numerous strategies for professional growth (from earning an MBA degree to working abroad). Among the topics covered are the following: recruitment of business librarians (including recent data on the supply and demand of business librarians); the special concerns of early career and mid-career business librarians; the importance of mentoring; leadership development; and business librarians on the job in academic, public, and corporate libraries. This book will appeal to a wide audience: practitioners; directors of public, academic, and special libraries serving the business community; library and information science educators; and those considering business librarianship as a career, including students, generalist librarians, and individuals seeking a career change. This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship.