Are the librarians of the Polytechnic trained enough to train user?

Abstract

Until now the librarians of the Polytechnic have taught the users the contents of the devices (catalogues and bibliographies). Now librarians have to give the users the skills to use, to find and to show autonomously the information. Librarians will have to learn the new search methods and the skills to utilize the technology. The education of the user implies a new professional development and obliges to new relationships with other professionals. Users will frequently need highly specialized assistance to fully utilize the systems that librarians provide for them. Staff must be adequately trained if they are to provide this assistance.

This research project asks the question - are the library staff of the Polytechnic trained enough to train user? This study provides information about the skills and training needs of the librarians and the information needs of the students. It should promote training and staff development programmes and the development of new courses for the students’ information needs with the involvement of the academic staff.

A questionnaire for the students formed the main data collection tool to establish the students’ information needs, within an essentially quantitative approach. The structured interviews and a questionnaire for librarians provided the qualitative element of the study.

The research findings conclude that the librarians have the necessary skills to become an information professional and instructor but have a lack of knowledge about the learning styles and the teaching methods. However, the librarians have demonstrated to know clearly how the studies of their users are organized and their characteristics. The study recommends continuing training for librarians and a new course for the students.