Why do we need a new librarianship?

Abstract

A Library is not just an information distributing machine and reading not its steam as the paradigm of the industrial age has seen it. Even the conception of the Library as Information Agency established in the 20th century does not meet any more the needs of our communities. In the age of data’ism the Library is not about Information as a thing and neutral IT infrastructures. It needs a more critical world view. Instead of data and information a new library science should focus on knowledge and knowing. The communities library serve are the true collections; librarians the weavers of community narratives and understandings.

Keywords

• new librarianship
• DIKW
• information age
• knowledge
• community
• conversation theory