Information professional
Encyclopedia
An information professional is an individual who preserves, organizes, and disseminates information. Information professionals are skilled in the organization and retrieval of recorded knowledge. Traditionally, their work has been with print materials, but these skills are being increasingly used with electronic, visual, audio, and digital materials. Information professionals work in a variety of public, private, non-profit, and academic institutions.
(ALA). In the United Kingdom, the regulating body is the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
(CILIP). In South Africa, there is the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). Most countries have a professional association who oversee the professional standards of its members. These associations are all members of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
(IFLA). Many of these educational institutions refer to themselves as an iSchool
and are members of the iSchool Caucus. Similarly, in Asia, there exists a consortium of iSchools called the Consortium of iSchools Asia-Pacific (CiSAP).
Role
Information professionals provide a wide range of services in the areas of: classification systems, taxonomies, tagging structures, thesauri, retention schedules, assessment criteria, information audits, knowledge audits, information research, information resources planning and acquisition, training programs for people using information, information and knowledge literacy campaigns and other 'finding and organizational aids and approaches'. Some typical job titles for information professionals are Archivist, Business Intelligence Officer, Chief Information Officer, Community Information Officer, Customer Service Officer, Data Researcher, Information Consultant, Information, Knowledge or Records Manager, Librarian, Program Manager, Research Officer, Web-manager or Web-master.Education
An Information Professional may receive a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in Archival Studies, Information Systems, Information Science, Information Studies, Knowledge Management, Library Science, Records Management and other related degree programs. In North America, most degrees are granted by institutions that are accredited by the American Library AssociationAmerican Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
(ALA). In the United Kingdom, the regulating body is the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is a professional body representing librarians and other information professionals in the United Kingdom.-History:...
(CILIP). In South Africa, there is the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). Most countries have a professional association who oversee the professional standards of its members. These associations are all members of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is the leading international association of library organisations. It is the global voice of the library and information profession, and its annual conference provides a venue for librarians to learn from one another...
(IFLA). Many of these educational institutions refer to themselves as an iSchool
ISchool
An information school, I-School or iSchool is an emergent label of university departments or independent institutions committed to understanding the role of information in nature and human endeavors...
and are members of the iSchool Caucus. Similarly, in Asia, there exists a consortium of iSchools called the Consortium of iSchools Asia-Pacific (CiSAP).
See also
- Special Libraries AssociationSpecial Libraries AssociationSpecial Libraries Association is an international professional association for library and information professionals working in business, government, law, finance, non-profit, and academic organizations and institutions....
(SLA) - ArchivistArchivistAn archivist is a professional who assesses, collects, organizes, preserves, maintains control over, and provides access to information determined to have long-term value. The information maintained by an archivist can be any form of media...
- Chief Information OfficerChief information officerChief information officer , or information technology director, is a job title commonly given to the most senior executive in an enterprise responsible for the information technology and computer systems that support enterprise goals...
- DocumentalistDocumentalistDocumentalist is a kind of librarian, trained in documentation science and specializing in assisting researchers in their search for scientific and technical documentation...
- Knowledge managementKnowledge managementKnowledge management comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify, create, represent, distribute, and enable adoption of insights and experiences...
- LibrarianLibrarianA librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
- Records managerRecords managerThe Records Manager for an organization is the person responsible for the management of records in the organization. This role has evolved over time and takes many forms, with many related areas of knowledge required for professional competency....
- ISchoolISchoolAn information school, I-School or iSchool is an emergent label of university departments or independent institutions committed to understanding the role of information in nature and human endeavors...
- International Federation of Library Associations and InstitutionsInternational Federation of Library Associations and InstitutionsThe International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is the leading international association of library organisations. It is the global voice of the library and information profession, and its annual conference provides a venue for librarians to learn from one another...
External links
- About Information Professionals
- Competencies for Information Professionals of the 21st Century
- Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP)
- American Library Association accredited programs
- Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
- Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)
- iSchool Caucus
- Consortium of iSchools Asia-Pacific (CiSAP)
- Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL)