Information Professionals as Learning and Research Consultants

Abstract

This paper is based on an investigation about patterns employed by people in obtaining information and in planning and designing their own individual learning and research projects. Sample users selected for the study are people who are skilled enough to employ specialized databases and knowledge structures. The findings suggest a complexity and sophistication in human learning, which is only now being perceived mainly in live academic systems. It also emphasize the almost radically changed social conditions with which information service professionals as learning consultants are currently involved in advanced countries. A change from conceptual learning patterns based on how information professionals and teachers transmit knowledge, to the developmental patterns of involvement in real life transactions is also visible. The new role information service professionals have to play has made the live academic and research systems to merge them into academic and scientific community and to ensure their quality and services. This has enabled experimenting innovative patterns.
Author also opines that social problems are human problems, which cannot be solved by the various professional cohorts working singly. In most of the reformed societies today, information professionals are members of the professional teams working for planned social change in the community. They as learning consultants can promote creative and critical thinking in the minds of citizens. Without such involvement the rapidly rising socio cultural expectations of the people will be exploited in runaway political confrontations.