What Does It Mean to Be a Science Librarian 2.0 - Assignment Example

What Does It Mean To Be A Science Librarian 2.0? If today’s science librarian looked back to the era of 1970’s or 80’s, he or she would realize how far cyber technology has changed the realm of library services and the role of librarians. Gone are the days too when a librarian does everything manually from arranging, locating, retrieving to lending books or research materials for the borrowers. These are all things of the past. A Science Librarian 2.0, as described by Melissa Harvey (2009), is confronted not only with the same mission of delivering quality library services to the satisfaction of its patrons but also with the challenge to explore, learn and adopt new tools for the workplace.

Presently, library needs have instant solutions facilitated by Web 2.0 tools like Blogs, RSS Feeds, Podcasts, Video Thread, Chat / IM, Cloud Tags, You Tube and many more (Harvey, 2009). True, more new technologies are to come. Experienced with these, Ms. Harvey cautioned everyone not to be enticed by the way how these new tools are marketed but rather carefully scrutinize and select the ‘right’ tools that will be brought to the workplace for the improvement of library services (Harvey, 2009).

Finally, she emphasized “not to disregard old methods that have been proven successful over time and recommended that these old methods be integrated with the new ones especially if they are found to be delivering more responsive and better library services with added value to its patrons (Harvey, 2009). And this is the essence of what it means to become a Science Librarian 2.0. In view of the above, how will this apply to me? Since Ms. M. Harvey is one of the dedicated Science Librarians whom I look up to, I wish to follow her footsteps in becoming one too.

In my own little way I would commit myself to practice a librarian’s mission of delivering excellent library services to our patrons. Since I dream to be a Science Librarian 2.0 one day, I would simply dedicate myself doing more than what is expected of me. That is, “doing the right things the right way” for the improvement of our library services. I also intend to explore and learn new technologies, avenues, and opportunities that would contribute to better our existing library services.

I would also pursue higher education like a PhD, perhaps on this field. Should I be positioned there, I would follow the same direction and even try surpassing what Ms Harvey has already accomplished for this field. And this is my essence of what it means to be a Science Librarian 2.0 . Reference Harvey, M. (2009). What does it mean to be a science librarian 2.0 ? Retrieved from http://repository.cmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1066&context=lib_science