What Emerging Professionals Need: Core Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Across Information Settings

Presented By:

Laura Saunders, Associate Professor at Simmons University School of Library and Information Science
Melanie A. Kimball, Associate Professor and Director of the School Library Teacher concentration at the School of Library and Information Science, Simmons University
Rebecca Davis, Assistant Professor at Simmons University School of Library and Information Science
Rachel Williams, Assistant Professor at Simmons University School of Library and Information Science

Moderated By:

Lisa Hussey, Associate Professor, Simmons University

Presentation Description:

It is incumbent on LIS schools to ensure that their curricula are meeting the needs of the field. But which skills are core—meaning that all students should have a foundation in those skills, regardless of their area of focus or ultimate career path—and which are specialized, meaning that only professionals in specific positions are likely to need those skills? What skills and knowledge areas are common across different information settings, and how do current practitioners in different settings value different skill sets?

This panel will share the results of a nationwide survey, in which over 2,600 respondents, including LIS faculty, iSchool alums, internship and practicum supervisors, and other employers, ranked 53 skills on a scale of “core” to “specialized.” The panelists will compare and contrast the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary for success across four information settings: public libraries, academic, libraries, and special libraries, focusing on the answers provided by respondents currently working and teaching in those settings. The panel will examine which KSAs are common across settings, and which are specific to each setting. They will also discuss how the survey results align with emerging areas and trends in the field as identified in the literature and core professional documents. The panel will conclude by discussing how the survey findings could influence LIS curriculum.

Presenter Bios: 

	Laura Saunders is an Associate Professor at Simmons University School of Library and Information Science. She teaches and conducts research in the areas of reference, instruction, information literacy, and intellectual freedom. She has a strong interest in the connections between information literacy and social justice issues, as well as in the impact of mis- and disinformation. Her articles have appeared in a variety of journals including College & Research Libraries, The Journal of Academic Librarianship, and Communications in Information Literacy. She is the 2019 recipient of Simmons University’s Provost Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.
	Melanie A. Kimball is an Associate Professor and Director of the School Library Teacher concentration at the School of Library and Information Science, Simmons University. She teaches in the area of youth services. Her recent publication, Engaging Teens with Story: How to Inspire and Educate Youth with Storytelling of which she is co-editor and chapter author, received the 2018 School Library Connections/American Reference Books Annual award for Best Professional Resource for School or Youth Librarians.
	Rebecca Davis is an Assistant Professor in the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Simmons University. She teaches in the areas of reference and user instruction. Her research focuses on diversity issues in academic libraries which includes underrepresented groups in the STEM fields and their use of academic library resources and services. Her publications can be found in the Journal of Education in Library and Information Science and New Library World. She is also a member of committees for ALISE and ALA.
	Rachel Williams is an Assistant Professor at Simmons SLIS. She teaches in the area of public libraries, information services for diverse populations, and technology. Professor Williams’ research areas are rooted in issues of social justice, professionalization, and librarianship. Most recently, her work looks at how public library workers interact with and support people in crisis.

Webinar:  Tuesday, November 19, 2019, 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET