The potential of university libraries for building information competence

Abstract

The authors examine the libraries role in building information competence of university students and the faculty. The academic libraries’ resources, their educational function of building information competence of the future professionals are discussed. Traditional teaching methods are analyzed, e. g. lectures, demonstrations, training workshops, consultations, printed and interactive instructive and methodological materials. Based on the reported statistical data, the authors conclude on the need to use every teaching method in the future. The libraries’ web-sites are examined as an educational site comprising teaching aids and materials. Interaction with social media is analyzed; the authors argue that the libraries should attract students, the faculty, and other university professionals via the social media. The experience obtained within the grant educational project “Publish right! (The role of the academic libraries in increasing publication activities of the university’s academic staff)” is discussed. Also the experience of the South Ural State University Scientific Library in building information competence related to various information activities of the faculty, students, and professional staff, is examined.