University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Emergence of New Disciplines and the Transformation of the Library and Information Science Profession

Hawamdeh, Suliman; Pampapura Madali, Nayana

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125016

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Title
The Emergence of New Disciplines and the Transformation of the Library and Information Science Profession
Author(s)
  • Hawamdeh, Suliman
  • Pampapura Madali, Nayana
Issue Date
2023-11
Keyword(s)
data science, information science, knowledge management, libraries, technological innovations, iSchools, curriculum
Abstract
Advances in information and communication technologies, digitalization, and the internet have changed the way people process, use, and share information. The transformation of the library profession and the emergence of new disciplines such as information science, knowledge management, and data science have continued to raise questions about professional identity, workplace, interdisciplinarity, and the types of skills and competencies needed for information professionals to compete in a highly technical and knowledge intensive environment. In this paper, we reflect on the historical development in the field and examine emerging trends and their impact on the transformation of the information and knowledge professions. Data analysis of course offerings from top-ranked information science schools (iSchools) has shown strong emphasis on the use of terms such as “information” and “information science.” The use of the term “data” has significantly increased in the past few years due to the addition of new specialization and degree programs in data curation and data science. The decrease in the use of the term “library,” even though the library is still the largest employer of information science students at all levels, could be attributed to the continued trend and desire by academics and practitioners to separate the profession from the place of work.
Publisher
Johns Hopkins University Press
Series/Report Name or Number
Volume 72, Issue 2, November 2023
Type of Resource
text
Language
eng
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2024 University of Illinois Board of Trustees

Owning Collections

Library Trends 72 (2) November 2023: International Perspectives on Knowledge Management Education [Restricted Access] PRIMARY
This special issue includes eleven articles from around the world, representing nine regions or countries, across six continents in which authors have shared their experiences with knowledge management (KM) education in their geographic area. There are several common themes throughout the world regarding KM education. First, universities throughout the world have attempted or are attempting to develop KM as a unique discipline with explicit titles and content. KM education in some countries (e.g., the United States and Canada) appears to be in decline as represented by the decline in courses or programs. While this is anecdotal, it is likely to be more the result of name/title changes rather than substantial differences in content. As technology has changed over the past twenty-five years or so, the label of KM has been under some debate as to whether it should be replaced with something more reflective of this change. For example, data analytics is joined with KM in the introductory article by Hawamdeh and Madali. In other countries (e.g., Brazil), however, KM education is on the rise. Regardless of the name, the number of jobs in KM and the projected market for KM suggest that work in this field is growing and in increasing demand.