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Introduction
Libraries and librarians are evolving through generations. Libraries are service-oriented institutions serving as bridges between knowledge generator and knowledge seeker (Thanuskodi, 2015). They are learning institutions that strive to meet the information and knowledge needs of users (Mammo, 2010). Users are the essence for the existence of libraries. The field of librarianship is ever expanding and changing in technologies, with diverse users and increasingly complex information needs (Cooke, 2011). The advent of information technology (IT), and its convergence with communication technologies eventually led to information and communication technologies (ICTs) which greatly impact the emergence of modern libraries' digital landscape.
There has been paradigm shifts in the LIS professions as a result of the revolution in ICTs (Warrier et al. , 2015). The speed of change has created a new librarian landscape in terms of services and activities, which in turn impact the roles, competencies, skills and knowledge of LIS professionals (Nonthacumjane, 2011). The ever changing information needs of users brought expanded and new roles for librarians to equip with various emerging skills to stay relevant in the emerging knowledge and digital ecology.
However, there are some studies (Elisha, 2009; Bailie, 2011; Law, 2011; Christina, 2015) that categorized skills required as general or standard competencies and/or skills. Similarly, Thanuskodi (2015) confirmed that there is lack of literature in library and information science (LIS) on the "future studies" that focused on the future roles of librarians. Therefore, the cardinal purpose of this study is to identify insightfully future roles and skills required by librarians to meet the changing users needs in the modern library landscape; to shape the future of the LIS profession; and finally to reflect on the societal and developmental roles of librarians.
Methodology of the study
This is an exploratory study that majorly adopted a qualitative approach. Despite the different methods employed, basically it adopted the Delphi technique.
The Delphi technique is a research method that elicits input from the view of professionals in the field to identify themes and build consensus on the topics of the study. Christina (2015) conceptualized Delphi technique as a research method adopted to gather input and clarify topics of interest drawing from the perspectives of professionals. Though it includes two or more rounds of input from LIS...