Dr. Awadhesh Singh Gautam

Building skills for a developing world in 21st-century library and information science (lis) education

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The study focuses on Library and Information Science (LIS) education in India. In India, traditional libraries and digital libraries currently coexist. India's LIS curriculum is still not adapting to the new positions. Students have not gained the crucial information technology-related knowledge and abilities from library institutions. Because of their expertise, Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals serve as a conduit between readers and information resources. The library follows the laws and regulations within the profession when acquiring and processing resources. Furthermore, there are drawbacks to these norms and restrictions. They are learned in the academic setting, where they are taught how to manage library information resources so that patrons can access them with ease. Cataloging, classification, indexing, inquiry work, user education training, facilitating, and assessment skills are among the fundamental abilities typically linked to library and information science. Depending on their library area, an information professional may have a range of these skills. Information technology skills, including word processing and spreadsheets, digitization, and internet search capabilities, as well as proficiency with loan systems, computer databases, managing content, and specially created programs and packages, are some crucial cross-sector competencies that are changing in the twenty-first century. Additionally, there are soft skills like time management, negotiation, and dispute resolution that are applicable to all encounters at work. Because of this, learners from LIS programs are not very competitive in the information industry. The paper talks about the difficulties of teaching LIS in India. It addresses the cooperation & resource sharing between institutions of librarianship as well as educating LIS professionals for managerial and leadership positions to promote India's economic and national development. Additionally, it covers job opportunities for LIS professionals, the abilities required, the influence of LIS education on graduates' work and careers, the recent emphasis on e-learning in LIS courses in India, and the ongoing professional growth of LIS professionals. It is essential for librarians to have the skills required to operate in a specialized job in the cutting-edge era of information technological advances, when client needs and equipment are changing quickly. Library and Information Science (LIS) education should therefore include contemporary information processing abilities to ensure the profession remains valid in the rapidly evolving 21st century.

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