Dunn and Wilson scholarship project 1999 Changing roles, changing goals: transferring library technician skills beyond the library

Methodology

Literature search

A search of available literature related to two distinct areas:

1. The Impact of technology on the library.
2. Skills analysis, transfer and library technicians.

Keywords:

Career change; library technicians; skills analysis or assessment; employment; careers; technology and libraries; workplace change

Google

(http://www.google.com) a World Wide Web search engine was used for a comprehensive search for available web-based information sources.

Scope

The scope of the literature search was to retrieve articles related to the above areas of interest dated within the last five years: 1995-2000. Sources relating to library technicians in this time frame were limited and there was a need to identify and use older source material.

Whilst the main focus was to locate Australian material, I have included global perspectives where appropriate. That technology is impacting on our working environments is obvious, however it is important to realise that the library work environment is not unique. Globally, industries are being subject to diverse influences that cumulatively are creating the working environments that we currently find ourselves in. In light of these considerations, I have included a brief look at global influences and offer an overall snapshot of key elements to consider when pondering career options.