Employability skills of new generation lis professionals in Bangladesh

The roles and challenges of library practitioners are changing at a fast pace as a result of information explosion and technological advancement. The main objectives of this paper are to explore the current state of employability skills of LIS professionals as demanded by the employers, and to suggest some measures for better employment opportunities of LIS professionals in Bangladesh. The study conducted a questionnaire-based survey of 102 LIS professionals working in 10 university libraries of Bangladesh selected purposely. Follow-up interviews of 10 employers from the sample libraries were also carried out to get insights and in-depth data. The analysis follows a mixed-methods approach of research. The findings of the study reveal that LIS professionals need to possess a range of skills, such as core disciplinary knowledge, IT-based skills, managerial skills, customer service-oriented skills, generic skills and personal attributes. The existing LIS curricula address all of such skills more or less, however, the curricula lack in practical skills of ICT and digital librarianship along with business and management skills, research skills, presentation skills, etc. Finally, the study suggests strengthening national skill development policy, ensuring uniformity in service structure, renovating curricula compatible with the job market, and expanding the LIS job market, etc.