Abstract

 This paper scrutinizes the past and speculates on the future oflibrarianship by examining its infinite possibilities. This is a historical study. Librarianship as a calling is a powerful perspective. It breaks down thepast andfuture oflibrarianship into sixperiods that help us tofully appreciate how our noble profession has traversed. Noting that we live in a world ofchange, thepaper observes that librarianship as a profession is subject to the vagaries and vicissitudes ofchange. While it has been a long time since libraries were exclusively the provenance ofmonks some ofthose sacred roots remain. In this digital age, with information increasingly becoming available online, the role ofthe librarian is undergoing profound transformation. Drawing from history, psychology, sociology and philosophy, this paper examines the various roles librarians have played in the ages and voices the importance ofthe library profession and libraries as community institutions in a seculartime. Hybrid library services which are a fall out ofthis change as a result oftechnological impact in the overall library work the paper notes; provide a pragmatic view ofthe infinitepossibilities offuture libraries. Libraries have survived and will continue to thrive in thefuture, because theyfulfill eternal needsforpeople. Thepaper concludes that in the midst of all these advances, changes and infinite possibilities, librarians remain invaluable and indispensable resource in the increasingly complex and technologically advanced information environment, navigating users through an often overwhelming labyrinth ofprint and digital resources.

Keywords: Librarianship, Librarians, Change, Nomenclature Change, Infinite Possibilities, Hybrid Library Services, Technology