Digital librarians: boundary riders on the storm

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the strategic role that digital librarians increasingly play within their institutions and attempts to identify the defining skills and personal attributes that are required to fulfill this emerging role.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews existing definitions of the digital librarian, not just in the context of digital developments within the library domain, but in the wider context of education and scholarship in the digital age.

Findings

Existing definitions focusing on the technical skill set do not go far enough. In addition, successful digital librarians must forge partnerships and communicate effectively across professional boundaries, thereby enabling them to apply their knowledge of information management and information literacy training in all areas of their institutions.

Originality/value

The paper takes a fresh look at the changing role of the academic librarian and will be of particular interest to librarians working in all areas of education.

Citation

Barton, J. (2006), "Digital librarians: boundary riders on the storm", Library Review, Vol. 55 No. 2, pp. 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530610649585