4. The information transfer process

4. The information transfer process
Understand the diversity of information needs and information seeking behaviours, especially in a New Zealand context.
Facilitate the development of information literacy and evaluation skills critical to the successful acquisition of information.
Use reference and research skills to provide appropriate information to clients
Foster the joy of reading.

This can be achieved by:
Endeavouring to provide services that meet patrons, student and staff needs- current awareness services; rss feeds; websites with direct links or path finders; devise surveys to determine effectiveness of services.
Provide user education and information literacy skills; reference and research skills; what you do, and what you teach others to do.
Foster the joy of reading! eg Summer Reading Programmes, Literacy Programmes, etc.

3. Assessment of information needs and design of responsive services

Assessment of information needs and design of responsive
services, demonstrated by the ability to:
• Understand the nature of the customer base and information needs of
different user groups
• Identify and evaluate information services and products to determine their
relevance to the client base.
• Design and deliver information services and products
• Assess the effectiveness and value of library and information facilities,
services and products.

This can be achieved by:
Providing responsive services; services that are proactive and reactive in the services they provide; surveying user groups, adapting services to the community needs.

2.Generation, communication and use of information

2. Generation, communication, and use of information
demonstrated by the ability to:
Understand how information is created, packaged, disseminated and used
Identify the impact and opportunities presented by changing information and communication technologies and media on the needs of information users
Understand the role of libraries in the information life cycle including dissemination through digitisation and other avenues.

This can be achieved by:
create catalogues of information using controlled vocabulary; Managing library home pages/ websites; add links from library home pages; manage catalogues on intranets; encourage staff to use blogs and web 2.0 etc. to create information. Relating training in doing this will help count too.

1. Information, Environment, information policy & ethics and history of the field.

1.The information environment, information policy and ethics, and history of the field
Understand the history and changing role of libraries and the information sector in the broader social, cultural and organisational context, and envision their future direction
Comprehend the legal, policy and ethical issues that are relevant to the information sector in a national and international context, including copyright and intellectual property, censorship, privacy, information policies
Understand the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to the development and delivery of library and information services and resources
Understand the purpose and content of professional codes of practice.

This can be achieved by:
librarians filling gaps in knowledge by reading books or consulting websites on the history of libraries; TOPNZ’s ‘Informing New Zealand’ is very helpful; keep abreast of copyright and censorship policies; Treaty of Waitangi issues. This can also be achieved by attending courses,
seminars webinars, discussions posts etc. on these issues.

The Body of Knowledge

Body of Professional Knowledge

The library and information management profession encompasses a distinctive area of knowledge and skills that is required for effective professional practice.

Library and information professionals need relevant professional expertise, related personal qualities and must apply a code of professional practice.

This body of knowledge has been derived from IFLA guidelines and adapted to include recognition of indigenous knowledge paradigms specific to Aotearoa.
In a rapidly changing information environment it is essential that these professional skills are kept up to date.

I will look at each body of knowledge in more detail over the coming weeks...