Member Spotlight

Florence Olise

What skills does one need to understand and study Information Science?

Information Science is an interesting, simple yet technical course of study that requires one to have vital skills to study it. Apart from the skills required to understand and study any course of study, there are vital skills needed for Information science studies. First, a student that studies or wants to study information science must have passion for information. This is because library and information science keeps evolving as clientele information needs evolve. Thus, anyone studying the course must develop his passion for information. This passion gives the required energy to remain focused on information science and knowledge management.

There is also need for one to have searching skills. A well-developed searching skill is necessary to satisfy an LIS candidate’s passion for information. The internet is our wellspring of information, yet it's a melting pot. With searching skills, a student in LIS can search for relevant information as well as be able to authenticate every information found on the internet

Observation skill is another skill one needs to understand and study information science. Observation skill here is not just the "seeing" ability of an LIS candidate but rather his or her ability to collect and monitor variables and issues in the study of information science.

Finally, information literacy skills are highly needed for one to study information science. Information literacy is the ability of an individual to gather and communicate information appropriately as well as being able to think critically even when using ICTs.

What skills and knowledge are over emphasized and are not necessary while working within the discipline?

Filing skills are overemphasized and I don't think they are very necessary. Filing catalogue cards are outdated following the influx of electronic information resources. I feel that in as much as the electronic library cannot replace the traditional library,  filing in the study of library and information science should be less emphasized.

In your eyes, what are the major hurdles that inhibit people from pursuing the study of Information Science?

The nomenclature is the major hurdle. In my country Nigeria,  information science is called library science or library and information science. I carried out a little survey on LIS students' perceptions of their study course. The majority of the students had a problem with the nomenclature.

What parts of Information Science give you the most joy and enable you to continue this work?

Helping people achieve their academic goals easily gives me pure and immense pleasure and satisfaction.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed how you interpret and see your work?

Sincerely,  the COVID-19 pandemic didn't really change how I interpret and see my work as a lecturer In library and information science. However,  I feel more library schools and libraries should develop and implement workable pandemic prevention and management policies

Have you witnessed any noticeable shifts within the greater Information Science community at this time?

Yes.  There is a paradigm shift in the way information science students,  lecturers, and professors seek for information. More people are seeking for ways to increase their knowledge base