Introduction
In the digital economy，many libraries are in transit from the traditional towards the digital library. The changing role of the library will inevitably lead to changes in the personnel, management, and structure of the library. These changes all reflect changes in the content of library staffs.
Definition
A digital library, digital repository, or digital collection, is an online database of digital objects that can include text, still images, audio, video, or other digital media formats. Objects can consist of digitized content like print or photographs, as well as originally produced digital content like word processor files or social media posts. In addition to storing content, digital libraries provide means for organizing, searching, and retrieving the content contained in the collection.(“Runqi Yi,” n.d., para. 2)
James Michael suggested a blueprint for the library without walls that consisted of five elements (Michael, 1994):
1.interconnectivity – connecting to a network
2.interoperability – the ability of one computer to talk to another
3.integration – of internal and external resources into one single user interface
4.intermediation – reference services, navigational help and instruction provided by librarians
5.interdependency – because one single library cannot own all the resources that might ever be needed by users
Changes in the Role of Librarians
The tools used by librarians in their daily work have changed vastly during recent years. Today, hardly any library is equipped exactly as it was only a few years ago. In addition to traditional means like card catalogues and microfiche readers, most libraries now also offer an online public access catalogue (OPAC), public PCs equipped with CD-ROM drives, scanners, or public terminals connected to the Internet. An increasing number of libraries are building homepages on the World Wide Web from where users have access to a variety of services without physically entering a library ( Koehler, Amy E. C. , 2013).
Librarians have the opportunity to use tools that allow them to provide an even quicker, more complete and sometimes more sophisticated service to readers. Databases and reference sources can be queried via the Internet, library catalogues are available remotely, newsgroups and mailing lists provide a wonderful opportunity to discuss mutual concerns quickly, and electronic mail allows them to contact colleagues who might be able to help them solve a problem. And all this can be done within a minimum of time.
In terms of the establishment of business departments, the library has increased the R & D department, service department, and marketing department from traditional interviewing, cataloguing, circulation, reading, reference consulting, information, technology, ancient books and other departments, which greatly expanded the books. The library’s field of work has shifted from the traditional technology and experience of book processing to the acquisition, utilization and development of book knowledge. Employees’ work is more creative and challenging. In addition, for those who are suitable for library work, their professional fields are more extensive. In addition to library professional knowledge, certain discipline knowledge and literature knowledge, theoretical cultivation, foreign language knowledge, computer software and hardware knowledge, network technology, management Professional knowledge in science, statistics, and design is also needed. The structure of knowledge requirements for library work has become richer, more diverse, and more complex.
Possible Changes in the Future
In a sense, much of how libraries develop in the future will depend on how technology itself develops – particularly around the internet and developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The libraries of future will have a structure which not only includes all services and functions, but is supported by artificial intelligence, i.e., the web will be able to analyse information, discuss with other people interested in the same areas, and create new ideas or theories. The AI library will be able to let researchers know information suitable to their research and discussions carried out through the internet or mobile devices even whenever and wherever they are (Younghee Noh, 2015).
Computer technology such as machine learning enables readers to obtain information more efficiently and accurately, which greatly reduces the workload of librarians. However, this does not mean that artificial intelligence can handle all tasks. Some special tasks, such as interoperability agreements between different libraries, and review of articles by contributors, still require specialized personnel to complete.
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References
Besser, Howard (2004). “the Past, Present, and Future of Digital Libraries”. In Schreibman, Susan; Siemens, Ray; Unsworth, John (eds.). A Companion to Digital Humanities. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. pp. 557–575.
Koehler, Amy E. C. (2013). “Some Thoughts on the Meaning of Open Access for University Library Technical Services”. Serials Review. 32 (1): 17–21.
Runqi Yi. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 14, 2020 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_library
Younghee Noh. (2015). Imagining Library 4.0: Creating a Model for Future Libraries. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41(November), 786-797.
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