Re-engineering LIS education to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies

The aim of this paper is to examine the concept and characteristics of library and information science (LIS) vis-a-vis knowledge societies, and the emerging ICT skills in librarianship for knowledge societies. In addition, the study recommends strategies for enhancing the training of LIS professionals to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies. The researcher employed conceptual framework and critical examination to explore the concept of re-engineering LIS education, the state of LIS education and the requirements for meeting industrial needs for knowledge societies. There is a need to review the content and method of LIS education to inject more ICT content and approaches. If implemented, this will open up new avenues not only for the user community but also for the library profession. LIS constitutes a key factor in creating, developing and maintaining knowledge societies. To be able to achieve this, LIS education must equip library and information professionals with relevant ICT competencies. Consequently, there is need for re-engineering of LIS education in the area of methods and content of training for the LIS profession so as to meet industrial needs for knowledge societies. The value of this study lies in its exposition of the contemporary industrial needs and expectations of LIS education especially in the area of information and communication technology.