This Delphi study, performed in Israel, examines the future of the librarian and information science (LIS) profession, particularly in regard to the transition from the traditional to the virtual library, the transition from the technical to the user-centered approach, and the change in expected skills in LIS in the light of new information technology scenarios.

The authors found the Internet to be the key player in changing traditional libraries into new virtual libraries in cyberspace. They also found that the Internet had limitations, due to the fact that many printed resources are not suited for digital conversion; the fact that much of the content on the Web does not conform to standards of validation; and the fact that minimal organization and cataloging of the content available on the Web exists. The authors present the thesis that there is a need for a new kind of skilled librarian. These new librarians will be specialists in managing, retrieving, filtering, and evaluating information, and will perform their duties through two sets of the activities: first, by collecting the information (in written, printed, and electronic formats), and then, by adding value to it via indexing and reference work. The paper includes a short and interesting literature overview, mainly covering studies dealing with the future of libraries. This further broadens this glimpse into the possible future directions of LIS.

The methodology used is appropriate to the purpose of the study, which is to review experts’ opinions and views of the future of libraries and of the LIS profession. It is based on the Delphi technique, which is primarily a group communication process, systematically eliciting judgments from experts in their area of expertise. With some criticism of the Delphi technique, the authors explain their reasons for choosing it as their tool.

In the conclusion, the authors state their findings. According to their research, the most salient new skills and new roles that librarians and information scientists should adopt are in the training area. LIS professionals have become trainers and guides in information and IT-related issues. In the appendix, the authors present two tables of the survey questions, grouped into issues impacting the future library/information center, and issues impacting the library/information professional.

There are no spectacular results in this work, but using the Delphi technique, the authors have made significant improvement in the understanding of changes in library activities and librarian’s knowledge. I recommend this paper to all librarians and information science professionals, especially those who do not have a vision of their usefulness in the future (and current) cyber and digital age.