The Presence of IT Skill Sets in Librarian Position Announcements

Abstract

What skills do librarians need in today’s world with its Google-esque movement toward ubiquitous instant information? Anecdotal evidence suggests librarians are acquiring a wider range of information technology (IT) skills.This study examines the IT skills employers deem essential by conducting a content analysis of randomly selected job ads from ALA’s online JobList over a five-month period. We found a substantial need for Web development, project management, systems development, and systems applications. This suggests that librarians are incorporating a significant subset of IT professionals’ skill sets. This trend poses challenging questions for their identity and profession.