Evaluating South African library and information science school curricula in preparing librarians for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the Library and Information Science school curriculum in South Africa in preparing librarians for the Fourth Industrial Revolution; focusing mainly on LIS schools that were historically disadvantaged in South Africa. The concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in libraries has become a catchphrase for the remodelling of how services are rendered, correspondingly allowing a platform for researchers to investigate the preparedness of Library and Information Science professionals to adapt to the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in libraries and the skilling of Library and Information Science professionals. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is mainly driven by technologies including the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, autonomous robotics, cyber-physical systems, virtual reality, advanced analytics, blockchain technology, big data and cloud computing. Literature highlighted that South Africa has a skills shortage and the library profession is no exception. It further stated that skill levels in developing countries are typically much lower.