the competency convergence: core skills and knowledge of library and museum professionals
TRANSCRIPT
The Competency Convergence:
Core Skills and Knowledge of Library
and Museum Professionals
Julia Garnett | @jzgarnett | jzgarnett.comQUT New Grad
GLAM
Impetus for Research
Information Professionals
Skills and Knowledge
How Can We Evolve
What’s Next?
Galleries | Libraries | Archives | Museums
Image: A logo for the GLAM Ambassador Steering Committee. http://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/GLAM/Ambassadors_%26_Interns/Steering_Committee
Background and Impetus for Research
An interest in GLAM and modern information roles
Paul Marty (USA) believes the library and museum professions have developed similar skills and knowledge
Research in the LIS space by Helen Partridge & Gill Hallam (2004 - The Double Helix)
Background and Impetus for Research
No corresponding research or literature was found in the museum space
“Museum information professionals are among the least studied of all consumers and producers of museum resources.”- Gilliland-Swetland & White, 2004
Aims and ObjectivesTo learn more about the GLAM space, especially museums and libraries
To discover the skills and knowledge needed for current museum roles
To assess the core skills and background knowledge possessed by both museum and library professionals
Information Professionals
Same Same, but Different
“Just as LIS professionals have shifted their focus away from the ‘user in the life of the library’ to the ‘library in the life of the user,’ cultural heritage information professionals have engaged in a similar shift from the ‘visitor in the life of the museum’ to the ‘museum in the life of the visitor.’ ”
- Marty, 2012
Same Same, but Different“The role of the museum information professional is changing so rapidly that any attempt to define precisely the responsibilities with it likely would become quickly outdated, especially if one attempts to specify particular skills or technologies as requirements.
In seeking individuals capable of filling such a position, then, museum administrators need employees who are just as capable of helping them define the very role they need to play in the museum.”
- Marty, 2008
Same Same, but Different
“[Cultural heritage institutions] will require new information professionals to look beyond specific technical abilities and see how their skills can help their institutions’ users access cultural heritage information resources.”
CHIPS Workshop Report, 2008
Skills and Knowledge
The Research Approach
Conduct a literature review to collect existing empirical data on library professionals in Australia
Undertake online questionnaire of Australian museum professionals
Compare findings from the literature and questionnaire
Library Skills & Knowledge
Skills and knowledge required in the LIS sector were drawn from existing literature
Management
Collection management and development
Information management
Information and society
Information Organisation
Information services
Information resources and retrieval
Information systems
Records management and archives
Ethics and legal responsibility
Information Services
Information literacy instruction
Web content management
Research
Generic Skills
Information literacy
Lifelong learning
Teamwork
Communication
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Project Management
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Business Acumen
Self Management
Transferable Skills
(Partridge & Hallam 2004)
Museum Skills & Knowledge
Skills and knowledge from North American and British studies formed the basis for the questionnaire
Personal SkillsFlexibility & Adaptability
Professionalism
Reliability
Commitment
Interest
Trustworthiness
Willingness to learn & develop
Enthusiasm
Creativity
Imagination
Customer Focus
Public service ethos
0 25 50 75 100
Agree Neutral Disagree
Skills from: ICOM - the International Council of Museums& UK study by Maurice Davies, The Tomorrow People (2007)
Generic SkillsCommitment
Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Computer Skills
Interpersonal
Leadership
Social Media Skills
0 25 50 75 100
Agree Neutral Disagree
Skills from: ICOM - the International Council of Museums& UK study by Maurice Davies, The Tomorrow People (2007)
Discipline KnowledgeInterpretation
Collections Management
Curatorial Practice
Knowledge of Standards
Visitor Response & Engagement
Exhibition Development
Financial Management
0 25 50 75 100
Agree Neutral Disagree
Skills from: ICOM - the International Council of Museums& UK study by Maurice Davies, The Tomorrow People (2007)
Discipline KnowledgeKnowledge of Standards
Vistitor Response & Engagement
Legal & Copyright
Social & Political COntexts
Visitor Services & Public
Museum Theory
Research Methods
Conservation
Education
Publications & Products
0 25 50 75 100
Agree Neutral Disagree
Skills from: ICOM - the International Council of Museums& UK study by Maurice Davies, The Tomorrow People (2007)
How Can We Evolve?
Evolve Your Thinking
Can a museum information professional gain employment in a library?
Libraries emphasise qualifications
Professional bodies
Skills and knowledge are applicable
Can a library information professional gain employment in a museum?
Museums emphasise experience
Volunteering and internships
Skills and knowledge are applicable
Evolve Your Thinking
Evolve Your Approach
Both Libraries and Museums are under stress
Budget
Technology
User Needs
Evolve Your Profession
Both Libraries and Museums are responding
Changing role of Information Professionals
Cultural Institution Convergence
Accreditation and Education
What’s Next?
other arms of GLAM?
multi-skilled professionals
education and training
professional development
collaboration
Any Questions?