NEED FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE (LIS) EDUCATION: AN OVERVIEW

This study highlights the importance of entrepreneurial skills and competencies for Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals. These skills are essential due to developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) along with Mobile applications. Shrinking job opportunities in the library sector is another cause to embrace entrepreneurship. Traditionally, LIS professionals were largely employed in academic, public and special libraries. To be relevant, competitive and sustain in this disruptive technological era, diversification and expansion of the job market is very essential. In this context, Entrepreneurship skills plays a vital role in accelerating this diversification. As information becomes a valuable commodity, LIS professionals have the opportunity to create innovative services, products and enterprises which will eventually lead to entrepreneurial culture among LIS Professionals. The paper aims to identify entrepreneurial abilities and examine whether current LIS education prepares students for self-employment, innovation and business opportunities in the information field.