Information Professional and the Changing Role in Knowledge Economy

Information professional of the 21st century in which we live are facing the growing number of challenges due to the considerable changes brought by the knowledgebased economy. The nature of production, trade, business, employment and work in coming decades will be very different from what is today. In an agricultural economy, the land is the key resource, while in industrial economy natural resources such as coal, iron ore, copper and labour are the main resources. Likewise in a knowledge economy, knowledge is the key source and information professional are key players. Creation and exploration of knowledge is becoming predominant in the generation of wealth for many countries. So, effective exploitation of information in organizations appears to be distinguishing characteristics of this new socio-economic model.

All economies are based on knowledge, and so it is neither a new idea that plays a great role in economy, nor is it a new fact. Obviously information professionals play a key role in this process. They strive to increase their ability to disseminate knowledge and increase its value to all stakeholders in the knowledge society. They are important partners in facilitating access to knowledge and information.

It is obvious too, that libraries have been always on the forefront in facilitating access to information and knowledge. Information professionals should be seen as important partner in the information and knowledge scene of which their role is indispensable in building knowledge and economy.