INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 1760
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Emerging Roles of Library Professionals in the Digital Age
Nilesh Nagare
Librarian, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad Arts, Science & Commerce (Autonomous) College, Malegaon
Camp Dist. Nashik (MS), India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.120800158
Received: 23 Aug 2025; Accepted: 30 Aug 2025; Published: 16 September 2025
ABSTRACT
Every profession is changing tremendously due to advancement of digital technology. It is ever changing
nature of duties and responsibilities of every professional in this digital era. The library professionals are not
exception to this. This paper discusses the shifting duties of librarians in the digital age. It looks at how
technological advancements have changed the conventional functions of libraries and the new abilities and
duties that librarians need to have in order to continue being beneficial and productive members of their
communities. The paper highlights the critical role librarians play in facilitating information access in a world
of growing complexity and bridging the digital gap by discussing issues including teaching digital literacy,
data curation, community involvement, and digital resource management.
Keywords: Digital Literacy, Data Curators, Data managers, Community involvement, Digital Resource
Management, Information Access.
INTRODUCTION
The rapid development of digital technology has brought to a tremendous revolution in the field of information
management, dissemination, and accessibility. As a result, the responsibilities and roles of library professionals
extend beyond their traditional duties, positioning them as essential facilitators of information curation,
knowledge navigation, and digital literacy. In the digital age, library professionals are becoming more involved
in managing digital collections, developing state-of-the-art information services, and encouraging ongoing
education in a technologically enhanced environment. In a more closely linked world, this shift emphasizes
how important it is to pick up new skills and adapt to emerging trends in order to meet the diverse needs of
users. This session explores the evolving roles of library workers in the technological age, emphasizing the
skills necessary to thrive in this fast-paced setting.
The Shifting Landscape of Libraries:
By providing access to books and other materials, libraries have served as knowledge repositories throughout
history. However, the digital revolution has brought about significant changes in the development,
dissemination, and accessibility of information. Because of this shift, library professionals now must deal with
an uncertain digital world and adapt their skills to meet the evolving needs of their communities, which has
required a change in their role.
Key Emerging Roles
Several key roles are emerging for library professionals in the digital age:
Digital Literacy Instructors
One of the most important roles of librarians nowadays is to teach digital literacy. Because digital technology
is so widely used, many people lack the skills and information necessary to efficiently navigate the online
world. Librarians are well-positioned to instruct in areas such as:
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 1761
www.rsisinternational.org
Information evaluation: Educating users on how to assess internet sources critically and recognise
misleading content.
Online safety and privacy: Informing people about the risks to their online security and how to
safeguard their private data.
Effective search techniques: Assisting users in creating efficient search techniques to locate
trustworthy information on the internet.
Software and application training: Training on the use of different software programs and apps is
known as software and application training.
Fig.1
By empowering individuals with digital literacy skills, librarians can help bridge the digital divide and ensure
that everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in the digital age.
Data Curators and Managers
The explosion of information in the digital age has created a significant need for professionals who can
effectively manage and curate data. Librarians are perfect for this role because of their expertise in organizing
and handling information. As data managers and curators, librarians have the ability of the following:
Arrange and maintain digital data: To ensure its long-term accessibility, create systems for arranging
and maintaining digital data.
Establish metadata standards: To make it easier to find and retrieve digital content, develop metadata
standards.
Make data resources accessible: Provide researchers and other users access to data resources.
Maintain data integrity and quality: Have policies into place that ensure the integrity and quality of
digital data.
By managing and curating data, librarians can help to unlock its potential for research, innovation, and
decision-making.
Community Engagement Specialists
Libraries have always been important community hubs, and this role is becoming even more critical in the
digital age. Librarians can serve as community engagement specialists by:
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
Page 1762
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Facilitating community discussions: Hosting discussions on topics of local interest.
Partnering with local organizations: Collaborating with local organizations to provide services and
programs to the community.
Developing community-based digital projects: Creating digital projects that address local needs and
interests.
Promoting civic engagement: Encouraging community members to participate in civic life.
Fig.3
By actively engaging with their communities, librarians can ensure that libraries remain relevant and
responsive to the needs of the people they serve.
Digital Resource Managers
The shift to digital resources has created a need for librarians who can effectively manage these resources. As
digital resource managers, librarians can:
Select and acquire digital resources: Evaluate and select digital resources that meet the needs of their
users.
Negotiate licenses and contracts: Negotiate licenses and contracts with vendors to ensure access to
digital resources.
Manage digital resource budgets: Develop and manage budgets for digital resources.
Provide access to digital resources: Make digital resources available to users through online catalogs
and other platforms.
By effectively managing digital resources, librarians can ensure that their users have access to the information
they need, when they need it.
Advocates for Information Access and Intellectual Freedom
In an era of increasing censorship and misinformation, librarians play a crucial role in advocating for
information access and intellectual freedom. This includes:
Defending against censorship attempts: Protecting library materials from censorship attempts.
Promoting intellectual freedom: Educating the public about the importance of intellectual freedom.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
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Advocating for open access to information: Supporting policies that promote open access to
information.
Combating misinformation: Providing resources and training to help users identify and combat
misinformation.
By advocating for information access and intellectual freedom, librarians can help to ensure that everyone has
the opportunity to access and evaluate information freely.
Skills and Competencies for the Digital Age Librarian
To effectively fulfil these emerging roles, library professionals need to develop a range of new skills and
competencies, including:
Technical skills: Proficiency in using digital technologies, including software, hardware, and online
platforms.
Information literacy skills: Expertise in information evaluation, search strategies, and online safety.
Data management skills: Knowledge of data organization, metadata standards, and data preservation
techniques.
Communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
and build relationships with community partners.
Project management skills: Ability to plan, organize, and execute digital projects.
Advocacy skills: Ability to advocate for information access and intellectual freedom.
Fig.4
CONCLUSION
The function of library professionals has changed drastically in the digital age. Librarians may continue to play
a critical role in information access, digital literacy, and lifelong learning by embracing emerging technologies,
learning new skills, and adjusting to the changing requirements of their communities. Library professionals are
important and relevant in the twenty-first century, as seen by the emergence of new professions such as a
digital literacy teacher, data curator, community engagement specialist, digital resource manager, and advocate
for information access. Librarians are vital for maximising the potential of libraries in general, which are more
than just places to store books. They are vibrant hubs for education, creativity, and engagement with the
community.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue VIII August 2025
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