MondayLunchCrew

[via] IT competencies for metadata librarians

I find these particular quotes very intriguing and exciting:

Question 1: What are the IT competencies for metadata librarians?
• Metadata librarians should know XML.
• Relational database design: may not have to be an Oracle programmer, but should understand the structure, and be able to form queries
• Be able to do data modeling
• Have traditional cataloging skills as well as database, XML, XSLT skills
• Maybe cannot do all of the computer programming, but should be able to read programs and know what they do. Basically, have the ability to speak the language.
• Perl scripting
• Cataloging background no longer as important, but need to help catalogers move from the MARC environment to the non-MARC environment

Question 2: Is it possible to find all of these things in a single person?

Question 3: How do we teach IT competencies in library school?
• It’s hard to keep up with changing technologies so having people willing to learn becomes extremely important.
• Library schools don’t train people in cataloging competencies either.

At this moment in time, I have no idea if I’d be interested in being a Metadata Librarian. But with exception of traditional cataloguing skills (which I may acquire in school or perhaps by some part time experience), the person they describe is me!

Yes, while library schools may not train someone in all those IT competencies that may be required going forward, there are likely many second career candidates who may fit the bill exactly. (Of course, there are those librarians willing to go on their own to learn those IT skills on their own time.) I’m personally most impressed that those skills asked for are the ones I’m still interested in IT.

But this makes me want to get to understand more of what’s involved in this type of library work. Interesting indeed. And oh yeah, anyone who wants to hire an intern/part-timer with those skills not afraid to train me in a little traditional cataloguing. We should talk!