Core Knowledge and Skills

Library and information specialists must be able to:

Understand, analyse and interpret the contexts in which information is originated, described, stored, organised, retrieved, disseminated, modified and used
Understand the ethical, legal and policy issues that are relevant to the sector
Discuss future directions and negotiate alliances for library and information sector development aligned with corporate, social and cultural goals and values. [ALIA]

Library and information specialists must be able to:

Understand and investigate how information is effectively sought and utilised
Identify and investigate information needs and information behaviour of individuals, community groups, organisations and businesses through creation, collaboration and partnerships. [ALIA ]

Library and information specialists must be able to:

Understand the importance of information technology and architecture to determine the structure, design and flows of information
Analyse information flow and user needs to develop systems and interfaces that adhere to recognised usability and accessibility guidelines
Work collaboratively with information technology service providers. [ALIA]

Library and information specialists must be able to:

Enable information access and use through systematic and user-centred description, categorisation, digitisation, storage, preservation and retrieval.
Provide and promote free and equitable access to information and client services
Facilitate the acquisition, licensing or creation of information in a range of media and formats
Create accurate and standards-driven metadata for enhanced and persistent access to information resources in an online environment. [ALIA]

Library and information specialists must be able to:

Design and deliver customised information services and products
Assess the value and effectiveness of library and information facilities, products and services
Market library and information services
Identify and evaluate information services, sources and products to determine their relevance to the information needs of users
Use research skills to provide appropriate information to clients
Use information and communicate knowledge
Deliver information literacy education
Understand the need for information skills in the community
Facilitate the development of information literacy and the ability to critically evaluate information.
Facilitate the promotion of reading and literacy across all sectors understanding the use of online resources, databases and relational databases. [ALIA]

Forecast, plan, facilitate and evaluate appropriate resource management to library and information services.
Identify ethical and legal aspects and distribution of information manage the environment, physical and digital assets under the control of the library, including collection building, preservation and capacity planning. [ALIA]

Library and information specialists must be able to:

Expand knowledge according to the state of research and practice in information behaviour.
Continue lifelong learning through a professional development scheme
Systematically gather and analyse data and disseminate the findings to advance library and information science theory and its application to the provision of information services
Demonstrate a commitment to the improvement of professional practice through a culture of research, evidence-based information practice and knowledge retention
Demonstrate effective and appropriate research skills
Demonstrate effective and appropriate taxonomy and metadata creation and management skills. [ALIA]

The generic skills and attributes for library and information professionals include:

Effective communication skills
Professional ethical standards and social responsibility
Ability to full fill client needs/customer service
Project management skills
Critical, reflective, and creative thinking
Problem-solving skills
Marketing
Accounting
Human resources skills
Ability to build partnerships and alliances
Effective teams relationship skills
Self management skills
A commitment to life-long learning
Relevant information and communications technology and technology application skills
Appropriate pedagogical information literacy skills
General knowledge
Supervisory skills [ALIA]