Team 1

Revitalizing Library and Information Science: A Collaborative Approach to Attraction and Advocacy

How a New Perspective on Hiring Can Transform LIS Professionals’ Approach to Advocacy and Attraction

In a recent collaborative effort, a team of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals tackled a critical issue facing their field: the challenge of making the LIS profession more appealing and demonstrating the global importance of information science. This initiative aimed to address the broader question of how LIS professionals and students can effectively advocate for their field and their skills, emphasizing their significance worldwide. The team’s deliberations led to a refined problem statement focusing on enhancing the field’s attractiveness.

How might we help make the library science field more attractive.

Recognizing the diverse audience that includes students, existing professionals, and job seekers in the LIS field, the team proposed an innovative solution to this problem. The cornerstone of their strategy involves reevaluating the hiring process within LIS institutions, a concept initiated by one team member at her university, which has shown promising results. The approach centers on a “Search Advocate Program,” where an individual outside the hiring institution plays a pivotal role in the hiring process. This advocate’s primary function is to bring an external lens to the recruitment process, challenging any norms or un-stated assumptions. By challenging these norms, the program aims to uncover the essential skills and competencies truly needed for the job, potentially opening doors to a broader range of candidates.

This team member’s explanation of the program highlights its success in her larger university context, where questioning the “whys” behind job requirements has led to a more inclusive and flexible approach to hiring. This methodology not only makes the positions more accessible to a diverse applicant pool but also helps in aligning job descriptions with the actual needs of the library. The team believes that adopting this mindset and training hiring personnel to apply this questioning approach universally could significantly enhance the appeal of the LIS profession.

Moreover, the team suggests a long-term strategy to support smaller institutions or those without the resources to implement a formal Search Advocate Program. This involves making training materials and expertise available online, allowing these organizations to benefit from the program’s insights and methodologies.

This holistic approach to rethinking LIS hiring practices is a step towards making LIS appealing to a broader group of potential employees. By focusing on what is genuinely needed for a job rather than sticking to traditional, possibly outdated requirements, the LIS profession can open itself up to innovative perspectives and skills, enriching the field and ensuring its relevance in the modern information landscape.

The team’s proposal presents a clear, actionable solution to the challenge of advocating for and enhancing the attractiveness of the Library and Information Science field. Through collaborative effort and a willingness to challenge the status quo, LIS professionals can invigorate their field, ensuring its growth and sustainability in the years to come.

Team 1 Members

Thanks to these project team members for their collaboration with DATALIS and their contributions towards innovating professional development.

• Kate Kargozari
• Laura Kathryn
• Nicole Jones
• Beth FilarWilliams

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