Page 53 - DLIS006_INFORMATION SOURCES AND SERVICES

Information Sources and Services

Notes Librarians in technical services, such as acquisitions and cataloguing, acquire and prepare
materials for use and often do not deal directly with the public. Librarians in administrative
services oversee the management and planning of libraries, negotiate contracts for services,
materials, and equipment, supervise library employees, perform public relations and fundraising
duties, prepare budgets, and direct activities to ensure that everything functions properly.
In small libraries or information centres, librarians usually handle all aspects of the work. They
read book reviews, publishers’ announcements, and catalogues to keep up with current literature
and other available resources, and select and purchase materials from publishers, wholesalers,
and distributors. Librarians prepare new materials by classifying them by subject matter, and
describe books and other library materials so they are easy to find. They supervise assistants
who prepare cards, computer records, or other access tools that direct users to resources. In large
libraries, librarians often specialize in a single area, such as acquisitions, cataloguing,
bibliography, reference, special collections, or administration. Teamwork is increasingly
important to ensure quality service to the public.
Librarians also compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on
particular subjects, analyse collections, and recommend materials. They collect and organize
books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in a specific field, such as rare books,
genealogy, or music. In addition, they coordinate programs such as storytelling for children,
and literacy skills and book talks for adults; conduct classes; publicize services; provide reference
help; write grants; and oversee other administrative matters.
Librarians are classified according to the type of library in which they work—public libraries,
school library media centres, academic libraries, and special libraries. Some librarians work
with specific groups, such as children, young adults, adults, or the disadvantaged. In school
library media centres, librarians help teachers develop curricula, acquire materials for classroom
instruction, and sometimes team-teach.

Librarians also work in information centres or libraries maintained by government agencies,
corporations, law firms, advertising agencies, museums, professional associations, medical
centres, hospitals, religious organizations, and research laboratories. They build and arrange an
organization’s information resources, which are usually limited to subjects of special interest to
the organization. These special librarians can provide vital information services by preparing
abstracts and indexes of current periodicals, organizing bibliographies, or analysing background
information and preparing reports on areas of particular interest. For instance, a special librarian
working for a corporation could provide the sales department with information on competitors
or new developments affecting their field.
Many libraries have access to remote databases, and maintain their own computerized databases.
The widespread use of automation in libraries makes database searching skills important to
librarians. Librarians develop and index databases and help train users to develop searching
skills for the information they need. Some libraries are forming consortiums with other libraries
through electronic mail. This allows patrons to simultaneously submit information requests to
several libraries. The Internet is also expanding the amount of available reference information.
Librarians must be aware of how to use these resources in order to locate information.

Librarians with computer and information systems skills can work as automated systems
librarians, planning and operating computer systems, and information science librarians,
designing information storage and retrieval systems and developing procedures for collecting,
organizing, interpreting, and classifying information. These librarians analyse and plan for
future information needs. The increased use of automated information systems enables librarians
to focus on administrative and budgeting responsibilities, grant writing, and specialized research
requests, while delegating more technical and user services responsibilities to technicians.

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