Information Assistants saw themselves performing some hybrid roles in their current jobs. Traditional activities were still being undertaken such as shelving, processing reading lists and delivering issue and enquiry desk services. However, increasingly the digital environment was affecting their role, skills and their service interactions. They provided direct assistance to users about databases and electronic sources, addressed IT hardware problems, produced site publicity material on the Web and were involved in document delivery. Job insecurity was not mentioned as a factor.
New structures require new skills.
Garrod et al. The need for individuals to update their skills and define a programme of continuous professional development is essential. This personal responsibility entails strategic management of your own career and skills-base, analysing trends in the workplace and outlining a way forward which is revised when necessary. The hybrid library will require information staff to foster partnerships with teaching and administrative staff. Partnerships will need to be formed between institutions, as improved external resource discovery has implications for library access arrangements.