The document outlines six core competencies for information professionals developed by the SLA Competencies Task Force: (1) Information and Knowledge Services, (2) Information and Knowledge Systems and Technology, (3) Information and Knowledge Resources, (4) Information and Data Retrieval and Analysis, (5) Organization of Data, Information, and Knowledge Assets, and (6) Information Ethics. The competencies are intended to help information workers, employers, students, and educators establish professional development paths. Mastering the competencies helps ensure information professionals have the necessary skills for career success and advancement.

1. Prepared and presented
by Francheska Vonne Gali, BLIS-III March 18, 2022
Core Competencies
for Information
Professionals
LIBSCI 36-A

2. SLA Competencies
Task Force
The SLA Competencies Task Force,
which began its work in June 2015,
developed the Competencies for
Information Professionals
(Competencies for Information
Professionals – Special Libraries
Association, 2015).

3. Target
Audiences
Members of the Special Libraries
Association (SLA) and other librarians
and information professionals
Employers
Students and prospective students
Library and information science
educators

4. Six Core
Competencies
Information and
Knowledge Services
Information and
Knowledge Systems
and Technology
Information and
Knowledge
Resources
Information and Data
Retrieval and
Analysis
Organization of Data,
Information, and
Knowledge Assets
Information Ethics

5. How does it work?
The competencies stated are professional tools that
teach information workers, employers, students, and LIS
educators about specific competencies at various skill
levels. Hence, the target audiences are urged to use
these competencies to establish growth and
development roadmaps for themselves, their
colleagues, and their organizations, among other things.

6. Understanding of the
Core Competencies

7. Information and Knowledge Services
Information and Knowledge Systems and Technology
Information and Knowledge Resources
Understanding of the
Core Competencies
Responsible for the complete life cycle of information services
Understanding the needs and behavior of people and assess the organization
Use up-to-date and appropriate technology tools
Create practical, modern information systems and employ ICT
Experts in all aspects of information resource management
Efficiently negotiate with vendors and content providers

8. Information and Data Retrieval and Analysis
Organization of Data, Information, and Knowledge Assets
Information Ethics
Understanding of the
Core Competencies
Thorough understanding of the functions of search and retrieval engines
Use tools and processes to collect data and practical insights
Organized and managed to be found, used, and accessed in a given period
Rules, metadata criteria and procedures must be established
Strong moral and ethical foundation on the information
Adhere to code of ethics and professional standards of conduct

9. Conclusion
All of these competencies are necessary for
professional success and advancement. The
competencies are beneficial to people who work in
special libraries and the broader information profession
and to educators and students in the LIS field.
Employers can better grasp what librarians and
information professionals can provide to their
organizations and how they can contribute to their
success by learning about the competencies.

10. Thank you!
Source:
Competencies for Information Professionals –
Special Libraries Association. (2015). Sla.org.
https://www.sla.org/about-sla/competencies/