This article is brought to you by the IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group

The modern library worker is evolving into a dynamic, adaptive professional fueled by the digital revolution and global collaboration. Today’s professionals are no longer limited to traditional work; they are navigating an environment in which advanced research capabilities, technology fluency, and community-centered values intersect.

Despite academic training, a significant gap exists between theoretical foundations and the needs of real-world practice. New professionals frequently join the industry with conceptual knowledge, only to face developing technologies, user demands, and organizational complexities that necessitate a new set of tools. This reality emphasizes the importance of more integrated, practice-based learning that facilitates a clearer path to specialization and professional identity within the subject.

In an era of artificial intelligence, data-driven services, and rapid digital innovation, the librarians must balance hard skills, such as metadata curation, system analysis, or AI integration, with critical soft skills that promote inclusive, responsive service. Communication, cooperation, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving are no longer optional—they are essential for meaningful connection among users and peers.

The global momentum of professional learning communities fuels this transition. Platforms such as IFLA and its New Professionals group provide chances for connection, mentorship, and shared progress across geographic and institutional borders. These networks serve not just as hubs for knowledge sharing, but also as catalysts for the profession’s collective, forward-thinking identity.

As the job of the library worker is redefined, a profession arises that is purpose-driven, enriched by specialization, and empowered by global knowledge exchange. Library professionals, with clear direction and access to solid support systems, are well-positioned to lead libraries toward a more inclusive, innovative future.

Author:  Dalia Kbar, volunteer with the IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group