From tradition to fast pacing 4IR and Society 5.0, to embracing community librarianship : an evolutionary approach on how to prepare students

Abstract

The value of community libraries (in various forms and contexts) is well recognized. They align with traditional values of libraries to offer information access and supportive services on all levels of society, while subject to the challenges of the contemporary digital transformation of society and the economy, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), Society 5.0, and artificial intelligence (AI). They need to address various needs in specific contexts (from poverty-stricken to sophisticated technology-driven). This paper shares a vision for preparing students for community librarianship that attends to both the traditional values reported in the literature as well as exciting opportunities that technological development is offering to leapfrog and progress at a quicker and more effective pace. We reflect on the conceptualization and value of community libraries and librarianship, the challenges faced in contemporary society and examples of initiatives from different continents. Against this background, suggestions are offered for an evolutionary model that can be used by educators to prepare students for changing librarianship environments and that can inform context-appropriate curricular development for community librarianship. The latter would, amongst other things, cover the combined use of andragogic (suitable for adult learners) and pedagogic teaching approaches, incorporation of cultural values and diversity, technological developments, and preparation for participatory collaboration and research with communities.