THE EVOLVING ROLES OF LIBRARIANS AS CYBRARIANS IN NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM FOR EFFECTIVE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE 21st CENTURY

Abstract

Sequel to the emergence and utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in almost all sectors of the human enterprise, many professions have been propelled to leap into the evolving landscape of digitalization to enhance their operations and services. The library and information science (LIS) profession is not left out in this as information practitioners began to assume dynamic roles as "cybrarians", to effectively navigate the information dynamics of the 21st century. Hence, this article explores the transmogrification of ‘traditional’ librarians to cybrarians and their evolving roles in navigating the digital ecosystem of the 21st century for improved service delivery to their patrons. In the process, varying perspectives on a cybrarian were offered, the complex web of the digital ecosystem was analyzed, the required technological competencies for librarians to function effectively as cybrarians in the 21st century were outlined, and the library user expectations of librarians as cybrarians for improved service delivery in the 21st century are discussed. Further, the article recommends among others, the need for librarians to engage in professional development programmes, to stay abreast of the latest technological advancements and digital tools that are relevant to contemporary LIS practice. The article concludes by underscoring the significance of cybrarians in facilitating effective information service provision in the 21st-century digital ecosystem.