INTEGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEM (ILS) SKILLS OF LIBRARIANS FOR ACCESSIBILITY OF RESOURCES

Abstract

The aim of this research is to assess integrated library skills of librarians for accessibility of resources. An integrated library system (ILS), also known as a library management system (LMS), is an enterprise resource planning system for a library, used to track items owned, orders made, bills paid, and patrons who have borrowed. Many libraries are in the process of rethinking the effectiveness of the automation tools. They are using to provide library services, both within and outside of their library buildings. Internally, the core component driving many of these services has been the integrated library system (ILS). The next generations of these systems are called “library services platforms, a term coined by the consultant Marshall Breeding. The paper adopted conceptual approach. It determines the concept of ILS, Types of ILS, skills of integrated library systems of librarians, related studies, challenges of ILS, conclusions and recommendations. As libraries have moved increasingly to accommodate digital collections, they have found the ILS products unable to be reconfigured well enough to smoothly and efficiently handle the integration of all the workflows that are different, yet necessary, for both print and digital. In addition, the older ILS do not take advantage of the latest offerings in computing technologies and architectures particularly in the area of cloud computing. As technology continues to advance, the field of library and information science is evolving rapidly, and integrated library systems (ILS) of librarians need to keep up with the latest trends and technologies to remain competitive. Some of skills for ILS of librarians are; knowledge of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, big data analytics UX design, project management and digital preservation and curation.