Workforce Competencies: Focus on Urban Public Libraries

Urban library leaders convened in 2008 to explore gaps between essential organizational competencies and the individual competencies of professionals entering the field. The 2008 Urban Libraries Summit aimed to focus collective wisdom in shaping suitable curricula for the education and training of future library professionals. This article examines the results of focus groups undertaken at that time, which identified current and future challenges facing librarians in urban settings and the educational and training experiences that would best prepare young professionals to confront them. Content analysis is applied to texts gleaned from structured questions posed to members of the focus groups. The questions probed the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) considered by members of the focus groups as critical to the successful employment and performance of individuals aiming to work in urban or complex library settings. Results of the focus groups yielded insights of potential value for new professionals, practitioners, and LIS educators in the United States. Substantial experience in community organizing, teaching, and face-to-face customer service is preferred. Candidates for urban libraries would be best equipped with undergraduate study in social work, urban planning, popular culture, languages, business administration, and instructional design.