How new technology impacts professional development for librarians

One of the most important roles of the library has traditionally been that of information provider. Before people could Google the answer to any question they might have, they would turn to their local branch to seek info from a wide variety of sources, including books, newspapers, academic journals and even librarians themselves.

Just because anyone can now seek what they need online does not mean that the library has become irrelevant. In the best-case scenario, libraries have kept pace with technological change, meaning that library professionals can — and should — be the very people to whom patrons turn they have questions about emerging tech.

From offering digital resources like PressReader to employing tech tools behind the scenes to streamline — and, in some cases, automate — operations, many library branches have become high-tech hubs. For library staff, continuous professional development is the key to keeping their skills current.

Tech trends at the public library

To what extent has the library of today embraced emerging technologies?

Nick Tanzi is a library tech consultant and author of several books (including Best Technologies for Public Libraries: Policies, Programs, and Services). Tanzi writes about library tech on his blog, The Digital Librarian.

PressReader asked him about technologies that have made the biggest impact on libraries in the past 10 or 15 years, and how they have caused the roles of library professionals to change.

"The rise of mobile technology has had a huge impact on libraries, and the services we provide," Tanzi told us. "The first iPhone and the Amazon Kindle were both released in 2007, and by 2010, we saw the rise of the tablet with the launch of the iPad. Aside from the need for library-provided digital literacy instruction on this new mobile technology, these devices quickly acted as a vessel for wider access to library digital content. By 2016, mobile traffic surpassed desktop traffic. Libraries responded with further investment in new e-content, the creation of mobile-responsive websites and library mobile apps."

In July 2024, the Public Library Association (PLA) released the results of its most recent technology survey, which collected info from administrative staff at more than 1,500 libraries across the United States. Here are a few of the PLA’s findings:

Almost half of libraries (47%) offer hotspots for checkout.
About a quarter (25%) have digital media production equipment and more than a third (40%) have maker production equipment.
95% of public libraries offer some kind of formal or informal digital literacy training. Features like faceted search in the library catalog can enhance digital literacy and create a better user experience.
95% offer eBooks and/or audiobooks and 58% offer streaming and downloadable media for patrons.

Library automation in action

And that's just the public-facing tech. On the other side of the circulation desk, more and more branches are using automation in various ways to streamline operations, enhance the user experience and improve efficiency. Among other tasks and processes, the following can be automated at a public library:

Cataloging and inventory management: Automate the process of adding books, and digital resources to the library catalog. This includes importing metadata, generating call numbers and updating records.
Interlibrary loan requests: Libraries can use an automated system to request and receive materials from other institutions. This can streamline the process of borrowing items not available in the library's collection.
Book reshelving and sorting: An automated sorting system can quickly and accurately sort returns back into their proper locations on the shelves.
Visitor analytics: As long as staff remain vigilant about cybersecurity and privacy issues, library automation can collect and analyze patron data to better understand usage patterns and preferences, which can inform collection development and program planning.
Acquisition and ordering: The process of ordering new materials can be streamlined through the automation of purchase requests, vendor communications, and order tracking.
Security and access control: Automated access control systems, including card access and surveillance, can enhance security and protect library materials.
Staff and volunteer scheduling: Automating the scheduling of shifts for staff and volunteers can ensure adequate coverage during library hours.

Professional development is a core competency

By and large, the library community has recognized the value of professional development activities, particularly ones that relate directly to tech. Updated in January 2023, the ALA's core competencies of librarianship include the following, among others:

Lifelong learning and continuing education: This competency is rooted in the idea that library professionals, regardless of their specific title or role, should have the foundational skills and understanding to participate in and lead ongoing professional development and to recognize the role and value of the library in continuing education and lifelong learning initiatives.

Technological knowledge and skills: Librarians should be able to identify appropriate technologies and uses that support access to and delivery of library services and resources, and conduct regular evaluation of existing and emerging technologies and their impact in terms of accessibility, practicality, sustainability and effectiveness.

The ALA notes that "continuing education, professional growth, and a commitment to lifelong learning are key components of a well-informed library professional".

Seven ways to upgrade your skills

Fortunately, there is no shortage of professional development opportunities available to the library community — some of them less obvious than others. In a previous blog post, we listed seven ways that librarians can upgrade their skills to help them better serve their communities. These don't all involve technologies per se, but each is worth considering:

1. Take online courses

With an abundance of great online tools and professional courses available for free, it’s never been easier for librarians to upskill flexibly and at their own pace.

2. Attend an external training program or workshop

Finding opportunities to participate in training or workshops beyond the walls of their own branch is a great way for librarians to expand their thinking, gain new skills and network with their peers.

3. Mental Health First Aid

One area in which library leaders are stepping up to support their local communities is in connecting library users with resources that support their mental health. The right training can equip a librarian to teach mental health workshops and show community members how to access library resources on mental illness and related subjects.

4. Conferences and summits

In the academic library and scholarly publishing sectors in particular, there’s an abundance of professional conferences and summits that offer learning opportunities. Conferences like The ARDC Digital Research Skills Summit and the Access conference are great opportunities to build on important library skills.

5. Academic programs and professional accreditation

Some staff members may seek more formal study programs such as an academic program, a vocational qualification or a professional accreditation through a fellowship with a professional association.

6. Job shadowing, coaching and mentoring

A cost-effective way of supporting staff development is to enable knowledge sharing within your library’s own workforce. Not only can teams learn from one another in a cost-effective way, but this type of collaboration has the added benefit of building cohesion among colleagues.

7. Reading groups

We all know librarians love to read. Encouraging library staff to create reading groups can allow for reflective time to read and discuss topics that impact the industry.

Communication is key to keeping current

When we asked Tanzi what else library workers can do to ensure that their skills are keeping pace with the changing demands of their jobs, he told us, "Keeping current requires organizational commitment and effective communication."

He stressed the importance of staying on top of trends in librarianship and tech: "You can subscribe to free digital newsletters like TLDR, subscribe (personally or organizationally) to library publications like Computers in Libraries magazine, create custom Google Alerts to identify library-specific uses of emerging technologies, and network with other professionals using your local, regional, and national organizations."

The next step, Tanzi said, is to share the insights you glean from all of the above. "As you identify training needs in either your day-to-day work experience, or the aforementioned sources, that should be communicated to administration," he told PressReader. "It’s then incumbent on administration to provide the time and opportunity for learning to occur. Sometimes this is formal training, sometimes it is more experiential, hands-on learning. Play for grownups! Formal training should be relevant to the job requirements; this saves time and yields more effective results. Also look for existing curriculum, rather than reinventing the wheel."

Library workers can shape the future

We'll give the last word to Vicki McDonald, the president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. In her foreword to IFLA's Trend Report 2024, McDonald observes that continuous professional development benefits not just library professionals as individuals, but also lays a path for the next generation:

Library and information workers should not feel like spectators in the ongoing development of our sector, or indeed of the wider knowledge and information field that we are at the heart of. With the right tools, and the right attitude, we can not only be ready, but we can shape the future.

How new technology impacts professional development for librarians

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