March, 2013
In 2013, the dean of my university library challenged the librarians under her supervision to produce a list of competencies for academic librarians. I produced the list below, focusing both on competencies that all academic librarians should possess and on those that were specific to my position at the time.
Broad understanding of media through which information is conveyed
both historic and emerging
both in isolation and in ecology with other media
Basic knowledge of industry tools and organizational systems (catalogs, search engines, indexing and abstracting tools, full-text databases, bibliographic utilities, controlled vocabularies, classification systems, etc.)
Basic understanding of bibliographic databases (flat and relational designs, metadata, standard numbers, etc.)
Basic skill in management of library collections (assessment of needs, identification of relevant literature, use of bibliographic tools, principles of selection and deselection, use of review media, knowledge of purchasing sources, etc.)
General capacity for enhancing customers’ information skills
through individual and group-based instruction
through face-to-face interactions and printed and digital media
Ability to work pleasantly and productively with a variety of stakeholders (subordinates, colleagues, superiors, customers, vendors, etc.)
Disposition to serve customers enthusiastically
Basic fluency in the use of information technology (operating system, productivity software, network operations, printing, file management)
Commitment to Christian higher education, as embodied in the University’s mission and vision
Commitment to continuous professional development
Ability to motivate others to perform effectively via various organizational arrangements (direct supervision, matrix management, committee assignments, etc.)
Ability to perform essential supervisory functions (role definition, recruitment, selection, orientation and training, direction, evaluation, etc.)
Capacity to manage personnel-related information with appropriate discretion
Basic understanding of various quantitative and qualitative research methods (surveys, focus groups, ethnography, etc.)
Broad skill in various kinds of data analysis and assessment (statistical analysis, data mining, textual analysis, benchmarking, etc.)
Broad knowledge of various data sources` available for the measurement and evaluation of library services
High attention to detail
Capacity to communicate complex quantitative and qualitative concepts
in person and in writing
via text, graphs, and images
Facility with mathematical and statistical operations
Intermediate skill in the use of spreadsheet software (formulas, pivot tables, conditional formatting, data tools, etc.)
Basic skill in the use of database software (tables, queries, reports, importing/exporting of data, etc.)
Capacity to manage an extensive array of data and reports with attention to discovery, integrity, security, and confidentiality
Compliance with the University’s financial policies and procedures
Broad skill in the use of the University’s financial software systems
Capacity to oversee budgetary activity through analysis of expenditures and assessment of needs
Capacity to communicate with budget stakeholders regarding needs, policies, procedures
High attention to detail
Basic skill in the use of spreadsheet software
Facility with handling mathematical and financial operations
Click the buttons below to see relevant entries in my bibliography, SmithFile.