Nicole Johnston|Rupert Williams
Skills and knowledge needs assessment of current and future library professionals in the state of Qatar
University College London Qatar|University College London|University College London Qatar|University College London
purpose purpose paper investigate document skills knowledge needs future library professionals qatar use outcomes research help develop refine focused library information studies course curricula meet needs local workforce also guide improve national local professional development programmes designmethodologyapproach skills knowledge needs assessment survey sent library professionals lis students library managers qatar total 109 respondents completed survey representation around 25 per cent current lis workforce qatar findings findings indicated respondents felt needed future job roles included client focused positions research librarians information services librarians subject librarians well technical roles arabic cataloguers electronic resources librarians system librarians largest amount needed positions also felt school libraries respondents survey also felt lack opportunities professional development qatar needed area skills training information literacy followed copyright training technical skills including rda arabic cataloguing one finding identified survey concern felt respondents lack professional body qatar represented lis professionals practical implications paper provides data future roles skills knowledge needed library professionals working international culturally diverse workforces also provides findings used develop lis curriculum professional development programmes international lis environments originalityvalue detailed needs assessment kind previously undertaken qatar library information sector qatar emerging field largely international workforce situation provides distinct perspective needs emerging library sector blend different cultures workplace practices differing expectations understandings role skills needed lis professional