Information Technology (IT) and Medical Librarians' Emerging Roles: a Literature Review

The present paper’s purpose is to review the literature related to the impact of information technology on changing roles of librarians, whether empirical or theoretical. It aims to explore the skills needed to execute these new roles in the ever-changing IT-based environment. Related keywords such as “information technology skills”, “computer skills”, “librarians changing roles”, and “medical librarians” were searched on the web as well as some well-known databases. Key issues were identified, compared, and categorized in order to identify IT-related skills needed for modern librarians. A number of skills have been identified and recommended by studies discussed in the paper. The literature revealed that in order to remain relevant in the new era of information technology, librarians need to keep abreast with the new technological developments and be equipped with the necessary IT skills/competencies. The review does not claim to be an in-depth one. The study can serve as a guideline concerning IT skills for LIS professionals, researchers, and LIS schools.