Information Literacy: Accessibility and Skills among Indian LIS Professionals

Abstract

The radical change in provision of information through the use of Information Communication and  Technology (ICT) in this age requires a lot of skills, knowledge and strategies to ensure maximum  utilization of information. Beside, varied systems used by libraries and information providers across the  world to classify, catalogue and make information available require special skill to access information.  Information is very important and critical to every individual especially research students. Today  information literacy has become an important academic product and the user should be educated apart  from their day-to-day needs. In this context we have highlighted the importance of the information  literacy skills among LIS professionals and how the institution will be benefited by implementing the  information literacy skills. Traditional information seekers expect instant help this puts tremendous  demands on the librarians and information professionals to upgrade their tools and techniques. Hence  information literacy and continuous professional education and training programmes are needed for  working library professionals. This study shows that most of the respondents belonging to ‘PhD in LIS’,  ‘MPhil in LIS’ and ‘UG in LIS’ qualifications felt that lack of knowledge on availability is the prime  problem to obtain information literacy. Most of the respondents belonging to ‘UGC NET/SET’ and ‘PG  in LIS’ qualifications felt that lack of technical skills is the prime problem to obtain information literacy.