Looking For Quality Public Services Librarians In The Information Age:- Amogu, Uma K.

Abstract

 The Information Age has come upon us, and "looking for quality public services librarian in the Age of Information" is a position paper aimed at providing the requirements needed for a quality public services librarian in the Information Age. The paper explained conceptually, the terms that make up the topic, namely quality, public services, librarian and Information Age. It observed that in a world largely propelled by technology, most librarians and other information professionals are desirous of acquiring technological skills and competencies only, but neglecting other qualities that would equip them to provide satisfactory service to the teeming public library users. The paper identified some skills and competencies which public services librarians must possess for quality public service.-Thef are openness, friendliness, flexibility, patience, communication ability, among others. The paper is doe in five segments, namely public library and its mission, basic library skills for public service delivery, public perception of public services librarians, librarians' quality public service and user satisfaction and conclusion. It.concludes that public libraries must look for quality public services librarians who possess all-round.skills and competences required to serve the public satisfactorily while urgent attention is needed to stop produt'ing graduates who do not understand the principles of librarianship as a service oriented profession; either by revisiting the curriculum, general ethics and public relations courses or have practicing professional librarians teach some practical relational courses. Keyword