Digital Competence of Librarians as a Factor of Library Activity in the Context of Digital Transformation

Abstract

The aim of the research is to prove the role of digital competence as a factor of library activity in the context of digital transformation and the need to ensure the development of digital competence in the improvement of the content of educational programmes. The research methodology is based on general scientific principles of unity of theory and practice, consistency, complexity, and comprehensiveness of knowledge. The study applies system and content analysis methods, descriptive methods, methods of comparison and generalisation on topical issues of improving the training of library specialists and studying the level of digital competence. The scientific novelty of the study aims to identify new functions and activities of library professionals emerging in response to the challenges of digital transformation. The increasing importance of the virtual library space and the transformation of libraries into digital hubs lead to the emergence of new “digital” professions focused on supporting digital transformation processes, web content management and web communities that require a high level of digital competence. There are approaches to analyse the content of educational programmes using the digital competence framework for DigCompUA citizens and the national digital literacy test of digital programmes in the article, which will improve the content of educational programmes and further develop a specialised digital competence framework for librarians. Conclusions. In the context of digital transformation, significant changes are taking place in the activities of libraries, traditional functions are being enriched, and new ones are emerging, initiatives are being introduced to turn libraries into digital hubs, and the list of ways to interact with users is expanding. Strengthening the role of virtual space as a component of libraries implies the availability of both technical and human resources. One of the challenges for formal library education is the formation of digital competence, which should be considered in educational and advanced training programmes. The author has outlined the possible roles of librarians who require digital competence to perform certain tasks using the example of new types of professional activity. There is an analogy with the research on the digital skills of librarians in the European Union countries. The author has noted the need to study the level of digital competence of library specialists in Ukraine to assess the current state and further modernise the content of training programmes. To diagnose and determine the directions of development, it is proposed to use the digital competence framework for Ukrainian citizens based on European standards of digital literacy and digital literacy testing. It is advisable to develop a specialised framework for librarians.