Networking as the basic factor of library education innovative development

Abstract

The libraries’ functional objectives in the epoch of digital technologies and knowledge society are examined, along with the role of librarians of the new generation in increasing social status and relevance of the libraries. The author introduces the professional model of modern library professional and substantiates the necessity for innovative transformation of library education. She argues that networking makes an efficient organizational and technological instrument in the higher quality education process. The networking resource units are defined, namely - personnel, learning and teaching, information, logistical, and social resources, - as well as the basic networking principles: voluntariness, coordination, reciprocity, shared responsibility for the final result. The experience of networking in implementing large-scale education projects in advanced training and professional retraining is discussed. The author argues that the advanced professional library information education makes the most efficient application for the networking principles. The author concludes that networking cooperation as the innovative technology in advanced professional training facilitates building professional competences of the new generation of librarians who are to contribute to increasing libraries’ social status in the digital epoch.