Emerging Career Trends for Information Professionals

Transcription

1 Emerging Career Trends for Information Professionals A Snapshot of Job Postings Spring 2015 Innovative Learning. Global Connections. ischool.sjsu.edu 1

2 Most Common Words Across All Job Postings Word cloud generated by Tagul ( 2

3 Introduction This report presents an informal analysis and discussion of a collection of 400 recent job postings for LIS (library and information science) professionals in general and LIS-specific job search sites during February-April, The snapshot of job postings can provide some insight about the current job market, how it is trending, and help LIS professionals prepare themselves to engage in this market either as a job candidate or a hiring decision-maker. 3

4 Trends in 2015 Some level of technology skill (both general and LIS-specific) is required in today s job market. Many job postings emphasized the ability to use multiple databases, library systems, and office software applications. Emphasis is being placed on enhancing the visitor/user/patron experience via engaged customer service, culturally-aware communication, technology instruction, and innovative outreach programs. 4

5 Trends in 2015 (slide 2) The need to nimbly navigate, describe, and preserve both analog and digital content is becoming a daily reality for more and more LIS professionals. The scope of research and references services has been and is expanding to encompass the support of remote/virtual queries. More positions require engaging with and facilitating digital humanities and digital scholarship projects. LIS professionals are increasingly being called upon to provide technical support for various technologies & applications that users navigate. 5

6 Trends in 2015 (slide 3) Knowledge of Microsoft s office software team collaboration product SharePoint was specifically mentioned as a desired skill in several posts. LIS professionals are increasingly being sought after for corporate jobs such as user experience designer, knowledge manager, and business requirements analyst. The line between pure library functions and pure IT functions is being blurred. In many work settings, librarian and information technology functions are being merged and/or librarians are being expected to interact more closely with IT in the delivery of digital resources and services. 6

7 Statistical Findings The following eight slides present statistical views of the collected job posting data: US Job Locations by State Types of Hiring Organizations Job Type Breakdown Previous Job Experience Breakdown Top 20 Job Duties Across All Jobs Top 20 Job Skills Across All Jobs Top 20 Job Duties for Emerging Jobs Top 20 Job Skills for Emerging Jobs 7

8 US Job Locations by State 16 CA NY 14 TX DC 12 IL MA 10 PA VA 8 CO FL 6 MD GA 4 NJ MO 2 AL CT 0 Job % WA IN 1% or less: AK, DE, HI, IA, ID, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OR, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, WI, WV, Virtual/Remote 8

9 Types of Hiring Organizations Hiring Organization % Academic/Research Corporate/Business Public Library Government/Military Legal Medical/Pharmaceutical /Science Museum and Archives News and Media 9

10 Job Type Breakdown TRADITIONAL EVOLVING TRADITIONAL EMERGING 38% 25% 37% Traditional: Jobs which primarily require skills such as cataloguing, reference desk services, collection management, circulation services, etc. Evolving Traditional: Jobs which require a combination of more traditional skills and emerging skills. Emerging: Jobs which mainly require emerging skills. 10

11 Previous Job Experience Breakdown PREVIOUS JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED PREVIOUS JOB EXPERIENCE NOT REQUIRED 51% 49% A majority of positions required some level of previous experience. However, categorizing the experience as previous job experience required a fair amount of subjective assessment. In many cases where a prior experience requirement was indicated, the posting did not explicitly indicate that the experience needed to be acquired from tenure in a professional position. If a job posting contained wording such as web programming experience required, but did not specify whether or not the experience could be fulfilled based on academic or personal/self-directed experience, then the job was classified as Previous Job Experience Not Required. Some postings specifically indicated whether or not, for example, education could be substituted for experience. In those cases, the jobs were classified as Previous Job Experience Not Required. 11

12 40 Most Common Job Duties Across All Jobs intra/inter-organizational collaboration/liaising training/instruction collection/development management technology assessment/trendspotting e-resources access/management metadata creation/management communication 25 outreach/program development/delivery cataloguing 20 website/web services development/management ontology/taxonomy technical support 15 technology training digital projects/initiatives development/management 10 5 vendor/licensing management business requirements analysis/creation user centered design information literacy acquisitions/ill 0 Job Duties % digital preservation 12

13 Most Common Job Skills Across All Jobs 70 communication collaboration & teamwork research/reference new/emerging technologies specialized subject matter expertise analysis & problem solving customer service 40 database use/design/management office software Skills % digital library/digital content management metadata web technology development/management e-resources teaching/developing instructional content cataloguing staff supervision/management integrated library systems/software 13

14 Most Common Job Duties for Emerging Jobs Job Duties % intra/inter-organizational collaboration/liaising website/web services development/management technology assessment/trendspotting digital collection/assets - development/management technology training reference/research services database use/design/management communication technical support training/instruction metadata creation/management business requirements analysis/creation user centered design data analysis digital projects/initiatives development/management staff management/supervision taxonomy project management e-resources access/management social media development/management 14

15 Most Common Job Skills for Emerging Jobs 70 communication collaboration & teamwork emerging technologies digital library/digital content management web technology development/management database use/design/management analysis & problem solving subject matter expertise web programming UX/user centered design/requirements gathering/analysis metadata office software teaching/developing instructional content staff supervision/management digital project management research/reference 0 Skills % customer service 15

16 Sample Job Titles, Duties and Skills The following 13 slides present sample job titles, duties and skills filtered from job postings and categorized by both key functional areas and organization type. This data snapshot provides a broad but representative picture of today s dynamic, challenging and exciting LIS job market; the diversity of responsibilities associated with current jobs; and the skills that are necessary to compete and succeed. 16

17 Collections, Cataloging, Circulation Sample Job Titles: o Coordinator for Digital Collection Services o Digital Collections Librarian o Director of Library Collections o Collections Analysis Librarian o Metadata and Cataloging Specialist o Library Associate Cataloging Section o Metadata and Cataloging Services Librarian o Circulation Librarian o Library Assistant o Access Services Librarian o Digital Services Librarian o Project Archivist o Electronic Resources Cataloger o Metadata Assistant Sample Duties Develop, manage, and advance digital collections Upload digital content and develop metadata Develop strategies to manage library collections Engage in collaborative collection building with other institutions Create original cataloging of print/digital materials Answer cataloging questions Develop information literacy instruction Charging/discharging library materials Plan and deliver library programs Oversee circulation and reference services Sample Skills Digital library content management Metadata standards and schemas Negotiate acquisition and licensing of online resources Teamwork, collaboration, and liaising MARC, BIBFRAME, EAD, Dublin Core Customer service Intercultural/diversity-related skills Integrated library systems; Physical strength/dexterity Project management; Leadership Research/reference 17

18 Sample Job Titles: o Reference Librarian o Reference Wizard o Public Access & Internet Reference Librarian o Research and Reference Specialist o Research Associate o Manager Research & Information o Research Analyst Corporate Research o Virtual Researcher o Research & Emerging Technologies Librarian o Research Data Specialist o Senior Search Specialist o Content Researcher o Reference Services & Outreach Coordinator o Digital Search Information Analyst Reference and Research Sample Duties Provide reference and research services in person and virtually Teach patrons and staff how to use technology Oversee circulation and reference services Support student-learning and course-related research Support research requests from all areas of the firm Delivery high-quality research reports Provide expertise in the design of discovery tools Provide searching service and support Sample Skills Research/reference; Specific subject matter skills Integrated library systems and software; intercultural/diversity-related skills Staff supervision/management Teaching and developing instructional content Knowledge of a range of online databases Problem solving & analysis; Office software; Communication skills Web technology development Search performance, navigation, taxonomy & user experience 18

19 Instruction and Outreach Sample Job Titles: o Instructional Design Librarian o Emerging Technologies & Instruction Librarian o Manager, Instructional Design o Instruction and Outreach Archivist o Reference and Instruction Librarian o Engagement and Outreach Manager o Online Learning Librarian o Learning Commons Library Assistant o Director of Learning Resources o Coordinator for Digital Learning o Knowledge Management & Training Lead o Curriculum Technology Support Developer o Distance Education Librarian o Education & Human Development Librarian o Educational Technology Support Specialist Sample Duties Identify & implement instructional technologies Evaluate instructional technologies Develop instruction for OCLC products & services Develop outreach programs Deliver outreach in support of digital humanities projects Design and create online learning tools Champion knowledge sharing strategies Work collaboratively with teachers and administrators Sample Skills Teaching & developing instructional content Problem solving & analysis; Vendor management E-resources; Developing instructional content Customer service; Communication skills; Intercultural/diversityrelated skills Teamwork, collaboration, and liaising; Specific subjectmatter expertise Web programming; Technology support Information management; Database use/design/management Teamwork, collaboration, and liaising 19

20 Sample Job Titles: Management and Administration o Knowledge Services Manager o Library Director o Assistant Director of Digital Strategies o Head Librarian o Head of Digital Library Development o Head Librarian UX & Digital Resources o Head Digital Innovation & Stewardship o Head of Information Discovery Team o Director of Online Libraries o Director of Archives o Critical Data Element & Taxonomy VP o Web Manager o Taxonomy Manager o Digital Scholarship Services Manager Sample Duties Provide digital content management & training Lead library s team of professionals & support staff Establish & direct strategic and tactical goals Articulate, promote, and support the library s mission Lead, manage, & administer library services Design & implement an overall digital library strategy Enhance physical & online user engagement Create new digital library portals and projects Encourage research and innovation Manage remote corps of online librarian staff Sample Skills Digital library/digital content management; Teaching & developing instructional content Leadership; Teamwork, collaboration, and liaising Project management; Communication skills Communication skills; Grant writing Leadership; Customer service; Communication skills Digital library technology/trends User experience design Digital library/digital content management; Web technology development & management Research/reference services; Emerging technologies; Leadership Staff supervision/management 20

21 Sample Job Titles: o Archivist o Project Archivist o Processing Archivist o Digital Asset Archivist o Digital Media Archivist o Archives & Manuscripts Catalog Librarian o Archival Processing Coordinator o Digital Preservation Project Manager o Records and Archive Manager o Director of Archives o Curator of Quaker Collections o Records Manager o Records Management Consultant Archives and Preservation Sample Duties Arrange, describe, and catalog collections Establish and maintain a digital archiving program Create collection inventories and finding aids Implement media asset mgt. workflow protocols Organize records for digitization Create a digital preservation plan Sample Skills Metadata standards and schemas; Cataloging Digital preservation & access Archives/archival processing Digital library/digital content management; Problem solving & analysis Archives/archival processing; Digital library/digital content management Digital preservation & access; Digital project management Document imaging and indexing Appraise and accession collections Perform gap analysis of current record mgt. programs Digital imaging; Metadata standards and schemas Archives/archival processing; Specific subject matter expertise Problem solving & analysis; Communication 21

22 Web and Social Media Sample Duties Sample Skills Sample Job Titles: o Social Media SME o Web Content Manager o Web Manager o Web/Electronic Services Coordinator o System & Web Applications Librarian o Internet Reference Librarian o Digital Technologies Development Librarian o Digital Initiative and Innovation Librarian o Content Curator o News Indexing Analyst o Director of Online Libraries Build social media research strategy Provide web-based access to the library s collections Provide innovative technology solutions Provide virtual reference services Deliver an enhanced information environment Develop suite of online learning tools Promote projects via social media Use software to tag data from social media sites Develop & maintain library web applications Social media development/management Web programming Emerging technologies; Communication skills Research/reference; Customer service Information management Teaching and developing instructional content; Web programming Social media; Communication skills Metadata standards and schemas; Analysis & problem solving; Web programming Web programming; Time/project management 22

23 Sample Job Titles: o Head of Research & Emerging Technologies o Systems & Emerging Technology Librarian o Emerging Technologies Coordinator o Electronic Resources Manager o Systems and Digital Services Librarian o Humanities Librarian o Librarian Systems & Technology o Learning Commons Library Assistant o Technology Librarian o Library Technology Professional 2 o Library Assistant o Technology & Business Community Engagement Librarian o Research & Emerging Technologies Librarian o Digital Library Services Specialist Emerging Technologies Sample Duties Upgrade library systems to improve user experience Explore emerging trends in humanities librarianship Support current & emerging technologies for the library Understand the functions of a 21 st Century Learning Commons Support patron use of current, new & emerging technologies Provide innovative technology solutions Evaluate current & emerging technologies Sample Skills User experience design; Integrated library systems/software; Technical support Subject-matter expertise; Digital library technologies and trends Emerging technologies; Communication skills Emerging trends in instructional technologies Emerging technologies; Customer service; Intercultural/diversity-related skills Communication skills; Technology training; Vendor management Analysis & problem solving Work with vendors to deliver innovative services Develop & maintain library web applications Vendor/Time/Project management Web programming 23

24 Corporations and Businesses Sample Duties Sample Skills Sample Job Titles: o Metadata Specialist o Information Specialist o Business Analyst Digital Asset Management o Media Inventory Assistant o Information & Web Content Specialist o Critical Data Element & Taxonomy Vice Pres. o Senior User Experience Architect o Taxonomy Manager o Digital Archivist o Data Curator o User Experience/UX Designer o Digital Search Information Analyst o Content Analyst o Data Modeler o Geospatial Cataloger o Data Specialist o Information Architect o Metadata Asset Administrator o Big Data Analyst o UX Analyst o Information Governance Specialist Index content in company database Manage & develop digital media R&D resources Design interactive training programs Provide reference and information assistance Define & advance the firm s data governance strategy Discover user requirements & define solutions Design & maintain product categorization schemes Define data analytics resources Analyze searches & provide solutions and reporting Taxonomy and metadata Digital library/digital content management Teaching & developing instructional content; Problem solving & analysis Research/reference; Subjectmatter expertise Information management; Analysis & problem solving; Teamwork/collaboration User centered design; Communication skills Metadata standards & schemas; Problem solving & analysis Research; Database use/design/management Search analysis/technologies 24

25 Sample Job Titles: HEALTH/SCIENCE o Web/Electronic Services Coordinator o Data Services Librarian o Librarian (Medical Sciences) o Electronic Resources Librarian GOVERNMENT/MILITARY o Technical Information Specialist o Systems & Metadata Librarian o Legislative Reference Librarian o Archive Technician o Librarian Central Intelligence Agency LAW o Access Services Librarian o Reference Librarian o Research Librarian MUSIC/ART o Photo Cataloger o Digitization Specialist o Coordinator Visual Reference Services o Archivist Special Libraries Sample Duties Provide proactive technology and research support Provide web-based access to the library s collections Support intelligence mission via information resources Maintain and organize media library Write, edit & manage law library website Provide access to law library s collections Document & preserve historic photo collection Create online access to 10,000 pieces of art Organize, promote, and oversee collections Provide general reference and information services Sample Skills Research/reference; Technical support Web technology development Specific subject matter expertise; Information management Digital project management; Information management Website development and maintenance; Communication skills Digital library/digital content management Archives/archival processing Taxonomy and metadata; Specific subject matter expertise Archival processing; Communication skills; Leadership Research/reference 25

26 Sample Job Titles: K-12, Academic and Research Libraries o Resource Sharing Librarian o Architecture Librarian o Japanese Cataloging Librarian o Digital Humanities Librarian o Middle School Librarian o Librarian o Library Media Specialist o Digital Scholarship Librarian o Digital Preservation & Scholarship Project Manager o Head Librarian o GIS Services Specialist o Assessment Librarian o Distance Education & E-Resources Librarian o Image Technologies & Visual Literacy Librarian Sample Duties Oversee intercampus library service delivery Develop architecture library s special collections Perform original cataloging in the Japanese language Deliver instruction in digital methods in the humanities Liaison to academic departments Support innovative pedagogies & engaged scholarship Direct the library GIS support services & resources Improve student experience services & programs Support student & faculty research projects Sample Skills Integrated library systems/software Specific subject matter expertise; Archives/archival processing Specific subject matter expertise; Cataloging Teaching & developing instructional content; Digital humanities Teamwork, collaboration, and liaising Leadership; Teamwork, collaboration, and liaising Geographic information systems Communication skills; User experience design Research/reference services 26

27 News and Media Organizations Sample Job Titles: o News Indexing Analyst o Researcher o Digital Librarian o Digital Archivist Sample Duties Classify world financial & economic news Use databases & the internet to verify metadata Manage the media asset workflow Research video using inhouse & external resources Sample Skills Taxonomy and metadata Database use; Online searching skills Digital project management Research/reference skills 27

28 Public Libraries Sample Job Titles: o Librarian Children & Teen Services o Adult Services Librarian o Patron Experience Associate o Circulation Supervisor o ILL Library Assistant o Local History Librarian o Youth Services Librarian o Reference Librarian o Public Services Librarian o Digital Services Manager o Technology Trainer o Technology & Business Community Engagement Librarian o E-Content Librarian Sample Duties Assists patrons in locating and using materials Organize and carry out storytelling programs Provide technology expertise and training to customers Support and promote outreach programs Provide programming related to local history Oversee all youth collections and programs Staff the main reference desk Deliver dynamic learning experiences Develop relationships with area technologists & entrepreneurs Sample Skills Customer service Communication skills Technology support; Teaching and developing instructional content Leadership; Intercultural/diversity-related skills Specific subject matter expertise; Communication skills Customer service; Communication skills Research/reference skills; Customer service Teaching and developing instructional content Communication skills 28

29 Museums and Heritage Societies Sample Job Titles: o World War I Daybook Research Assistant o Director New York Transit Museum o Library & Information Services Associate o Digital Archivist o Curator o Coordinate Visual Reference Services o Project Archivist o Digitization Specialist o Reference Librarian Sample Duties Process archival collections Develop long-range collections management plan Create an outstanding visitor experience Oversee all archival units Conduct regular research & reference assistance Sample Skills Archives/archival processing Project management; Communication skills Communication skills; Intercultural/diversityrelated skills Staff supervision/management; Communication skills Research/reference skills; Customer service Create online access to institutional objects Provide genealogical reference services Digital library content management Customer service; Database use; Communication skills 29

30 Tips for LIS Job Seekers Use social media and mobile apps. Emerging librarians who actively use social media and mobile apps are better able to engage with today s user communities. And if you re a gamer, you re already positioning yourself to better understand library gamification efforts to enhance users experiences with collection engagement. Learn about user experience design/user centered design. Be aware of how apps and websites are architected to improve the interaction between the user and the software. Emerging librarians who are user-experience savvy are better positioned to teach, build, customize, and promote their institutions user interaction platforms and products. Be aware of and become conversant in the ways in which taxonomy permeates your daily life. From the categorization of items on online shopping sites to the organization of your own personal image library, taxonomy plays a key role in managing today s growing information resources. Seek out opportunities in your personal, academic, and professional life to develop teamwork, communication, and collaboration skills. Today s library professional is inclusive, culturally aware, ready to share, and eager to engage with others. 30

31 Tips for LIS Job Seekers, cont d. Keep current on emerging technologies, products, and trends through a variety of sources like social media, websites, blogs, digital newsletters, events, seminars, lectures/presentations, and publications. Don t confine yourself to exclusively LISrelated sources. Access general and business technology news/products resources such as wired.com, informationweek.com, and digitaltrends.com. Become an internet power searcher. Learn how to use advanced search techniques to become more effective at conducting web research. Be familiar with office software apps like MS-Office and Google apps (e.g. Google Docs). Learn about data analysis and data/information visualization. Understanding the tools and techniques used to analyze and visualize the vast and continually growing amounts of digital data available to a wide range of users is becoming increasingly important for today s information professional. Learn about Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The ability to understand and use GIS is becoming increasingly important as more users engage with digital geographic data in a wide array of applications. 31

32 General Methodology The job postings were collected from general and LIS-targeted websites to provide examples of a broad range of jobs. The results of this sampling methodology are not representative of the entire LIS job market, but instead present an informal snapshot across a few months. For each posting, the job title, hiring organization name and location, source URL, job description, required educational qualifications, and job duties and skills were collected and entered into an Excel spreadsheet. A subjective assessment was made for those cases were there was not a clear distinction made in the posting between duties and skills. Finally, a subjective assessment and classification of the job type as Emerging, Evolving Traditional, or Traditional was made based on the degree to which the job s skills and duties emphasized emerging proficiencies, such as digital content management, user centered design, web design, website administration, and social media. 32

33 Search Methodology: General Job Sites General job sites such as monster.com and tech-centric sites such as dice.com were searched using broadly defined keywords such as library science and information science. The results were then filtered in order to include only those jobs which specifically listed a degree in LIS as a pre-requisite (either alone or listed among other acceptable degrees). These searches yielded a robust sampling of positions for LIS professionals with emerging, marketable skills such as user experience design, web design and programming, and knowledge management. 33

34 Search Methodology: LIS Job Sites Websites targeting LIS professionals were searched by specific keywords in an attempt to select a broad sample of jobs for candidates with emerging skill sets, as well as those with more traditional skill sets. Keywords included: collection development, collections management, information literacy, information professional, library science, information science, reference services, research, social media, archival, metadata, catalog, archives, data visualization, digital archives, digital assets, digital collections, digital content, electronic resources, emerging technologies, new technologies, digital humanities, digital library, and content management. 34

35 Examples of LIS Job Sites

36 Examples of General Job Sites