*Note: The following is from our archived collection of older documents, and may not reflect the most current information.
We may expand this definition to an information professional/librarian who utilizes digital and networked communications technologies to the fullest to retrieve, evaluate and disseminate information. While it is not currently possible to obtain a degree in "cybrarianship," there are possibilities for advancing your knowledge of these technologies.
Whether you are an old pro or just starting out on the Internet, you may want to start with the Special Libraries Association's Competencies for Special Librarians of the 21st Century. Both the Executive Summary and the Full Report are available. The Competencies report highlights the major professional and personal competencies of special librarians and provide practical examples of the multitudes of roles and tasks that special librarians can and will be performing in the 21st century. Digital and networked communications technologies, such as the Internet, have revolutionized the library and information science profession, hence much of the Competencies report addresses these technologies and their requisite skills.
Of course professional development plays a key role in your success as an information professional and the Special Libraries Association has developed cutting-edge continuing education programs to address the fast pace of changing technology.
SLA has embraced distance learning as a vital tool for professional development. The Future For Librarians: Positioning Yourself For Success is just one example. This program, a Distance Learning Videoconference sponsored by SLA, MLA, AALL, and Lexis-Nexis addressed many of the questions that special librarians are encountering today:
- In five years, what will libraries and information services look like?
- How will professionals be functioning in these new libraries and information services?
- And how can today's librarians maximize their influence in the 21st century?
As part of the Distance Learning Program, SLA is introducing two new distance learning courses, The Seven Keys to Highly Effective Web Sites, and Creating Your Own Homepage: HyperText Markup Language Essentials.
With all these tools at your disposal, you'll be a cybrarian in no time!
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