The ability to share knowledge has played a critical role in the development of society and human intelligence. Knowledge, an awareness or understanding, is a powerful connector of people and perpetuator of idea generation, innovation and action.

Information Services

The Library and Information Services (LIS) sector is a large portion of the information management branch, operating in practically every community and institution. At its core, LIS represents the organisation, maintenance and the circulation of knowledge and information resources.

Knowledge and information is at the very center of today's society and economic operations and as such, itäs documentation has become plentiful. To deal with such volume, the Library and Information Services sector has developed techniques for indexing, managing, sourcing and retrieving informational resources.

The role of the library in information services

In nations and social communities around the world, libraries have functioned as a hub for the storage and dispersal of information. In providing first hand contact with knowledge and creative ideas from innumerable sources, libraries require state-of.the-art tools, staff and facilities in order to maintain its core functions.

Professionals in LIS

Professionals specialised in library and information services require various skills, such as personal effectiveness and organisational and communications skills. LIS professions must also have skills in the administration of information infrastructures. In order to ensure that information is easily available, staff must maintain effective information delivery systems. Qualified staff in Library and Information Services provide assistance with locating information and resources as well as research and literature searches.

Staff working in an information services capacity are often graduates of specialised degree programs on the subject and will regularly participate in continuing development programs. As the technologies behind library and information services continue to develop, library staff will need to top up their skills accordingly.

Library and Information Services and the Digital Revolution

For centuries, libraries were a collection of books and written records, requiring large facilities equipped with carefully curated storage solutions. Today, information is increasingly stored in digital versions, versus a hard copy. In addition to skills in technology management, managing information in the cloud requires talented staff with skills in digital retrieval, data systems and digital research methods.

Library and Information Services training courses

Training Courses in Library and Information Services may cover all content areas that are relevant to Library and Information Services in practice, including the various specialisations within the field. Specialisation areas include learning how to view the LIS as a business, finance for libraries, cataloguing basics, marketing for libraries, digital licensing, and many more. Most LIS courses are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Common areas of training may also include specialised techniques, such as indexing, records management, information sourcing and copyright and licensing. Strategies for managing digital information is also a common topic of instruction. Training programs on digital library maintenance will cover subjects, such as digital library management, interaction design, information retrieval for digital libraries, technology for digital libraries, information retrieval in digital libraries and the digitalisation of material and resources.

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