Ruoli e competenze del system librarian, library manager e system manager. Primi risultati di un'indagine in Italia

Abstract

Systems librarianship is a practice founded on the need to develop competencies and skills to lead processes of library automation and it is strictly interconnected with technological advancements of IT library tools that in the last forty years have changed the way in which institutions deliver their services. Systems librarians are those professional who, expressly committed, have in charge to introduce and sustain the automation process through a wide range of activities. Implementation, management and maintenance of library integrated systems constitute the main traits of their field of expertise. Systems librarians are not merely involved in technical and computing activities, during the years their role is evolved from simple and basic duty tasks for the IT maintenance to a more complex sphere of responsibilities. Along with these growing issues, the need for more specific competencies is arose within the systems office to sustain the rapid pace of technology advancement. Library and System manager's field of expertise begins to be defined. Systems librarianship is a completely new breed of expertise in Italy. With the purpose to investigate the state of the art of this practice in Italy, a research was carried out through those stakeholders involved with the purchasing, management and maintenance of a library integrated system commercially available on the international marketplace. Particular attention has been devoted to assess roles and responsibilities, skills and competencies, background both in terms of educational curricula and previous work experience of those professionals involved with the management of ALEPH library system. Analysis of results shows that system librarianship is moving its first steps in Italy. Library institutions claim for a definition of roles and competencies for the positions of Systems Librarian, Library Manager and System manager. Furthermore, these new professional expertises have to be sustained with appropriate curricula and with continuing professional education to lead successful implementation within institutions of library related technologies.