A Study of the Core Competencies for Taiwan’s Librarians from the Library Values Perspective

This study explores the core values, purposes, functions, andobjectives of libraries. Based on the library values identified inthe existing literature, this study conducted empirical analyses andproposed a set of core competencies for librarians in Taiwan. Firstly,focus group method was used to understand librarians’ opinions onthe subject matter. Two documents released by the American LibraryAssociation informed the discussion protocols – the 2004 CoreValues of Librarianship as well as the 2008 Core Competencies ofLibrarianship. Secondly, based on the results of three focus groupdiscussions, a questionnaire surveying librarians’ opinions of libraryvalues and core competencies for Taiwan’s librarians was distributedto library managers and library educators. Based on the survey result,this study identified 12 library values, 11 librarian roles, and a set ofcore competencies comprised of 55 items in eight categories. It alsoidentified 14 new library functions in the digital age. The findingscan be used in the planning of library education and the hiring andevaluation of library employees.