Page 267 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes Professionalism is earned, rather than being called. A real “Professional” is a brand, which is
tagged with respects that one gains. It takes lot of practice for an individual to perfect himself,
and a path to perfection is professionalism. The path to perfection involves holding high personal
standards, competing with oneself, constant learning, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

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Caution There is a major misunderstanding with an individual with good skills being
called as a professional. An individual may be highly skilled with best technical knowledge
at his profession but that isn’t enough.
One needs to have additional knowledge that involves business ethics, positive attitude,
willingness to learn, teach, and various other aspects. Professionalism is in everyone but is
practiced by oneself through self-improvement.
A professional behaviour constitutes with some of the following:

Be committed and make yourself approachable: Do not commit to anything that you are
not comfortable with. Value your and others time and give time to those in deep need for
your help.
Know your subject well: Do your homework well and know what you are talking about.
Half knowledge may result to losing your credibility, and professional relationships to
compromise your integrity. In case of doubt, admit it.
Possess a good attitude: A positive attitude makes considerable impact on one’s success

Produce quality work: A professional never merely only completes a delegated task, but
delivers them with highest quality possible.
Maximize knowledge: Keep yourself upgraded.

Seek greater responsibilities: Seek greater control on what you do. Find opportunities to
take your activities to a level higher.
Be innovative: Utilize your creativity in solving issues in new ways.

Teach: Share your knowledge with others, and help them be professionals.
Give credits: Being magnanimous and giving due credits to the actual performer, is mark
of a true professional.

Work on your appearance, communication, and etiquettes: Professional behaviour is
noticed from the way you look, speak, act, and this directly impacts the way others perceive
them.
The age-old professions are agriculture, medicine, education, fine arts (painting, sculpture,
music) and such other established occupations, recognized and respected by society, not
necessarily measured by the monetary earnings of these professionals. With industrialisation,
economic and social growth, many new professions have sprung up in the last two hundred
years. More particularly the 20th century has witnessed the growth of hundreds of new professions
Librarianship is one such profession that emerged in the 19th/20th Century when corpus of
knowledge multiplied geometrically requiring rapid expansion in its nature of work and services
of knowledge organisation, retrieval and dissemination.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
1. An expertise is expected of professionals with full involvement in and commitment to
those who receive services from them.

262 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY