A Profession in Transition: Towards Development and Implementation of Standards for VR Management. Part B: Professional’s Perspective and Beyond
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Part B
Introduction: This paper discusses the core competencies for visual resources (VR) management, created as a part of a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The content analysis of job listings in Part A of the series and the survey of the visual resources professionals described in this paper together contributed to the development of the Core Competencies. The results of the survey of visual resources professionals, the core competencies, and the next phases of the project are discussed in this paper.
Method: A survey of VR professionals was conducted to gather the opinions of current VR professionals on status, recruitment, training and skills needed in the VR field.
Analysis & Results: Image processing, digital imaging, visual literacy, communication, data asset management and cataloging emerged as prominent skill areas desired by VR professionals. The eight areas of the Core Competencies, together with detailed descriptions of the skills associated with the areas, are described.
Conclusions: VR is an emerging field which is becoming increasingly complex due to the impact of digital technologies and the many information environments in which VR is practiced. These environments include museums, archives, private organizations and libraries. A graduate degree in Library and Information Science supplemented with the weeklong non-certified Summer Educational Institute in Visual Resources and Image Management (SEI) course is suggested to better prepare future VR professionals for the field.
Part B
Introduction: This paper discusses the core competencies for visual resources (VR) management, created as a part of a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The content analysis of job listings in Part A of the series and the survey of the visual resources professionals described in this paper together contributed to the development of the Core Competencies. The results of the survey of visual resources professionals, the core competencies, and the next phases of the project are discussed in this paper.
Method: A survey of VR professionals was conducted to gather the opinions of current VR professionals on status, recruitment, training and skills needed in the VR field.
Analysis & Results: Image processing, digital imaging, visual literacy, communication, data asset management and cataloging emerged as prominent skill areas desired by VR professionals. The eight areas of the Core Competencies, together with detailed descriptions of the skills associated with the areas, are described.
Conclusions: VR is an emerging field which is becoming increasingly complex due to the impact of digital technologies and the many information environments in which VR is practiced. These environments include museums, archives, private organizations and libraries. A graduate degree in Library and Information Science supplemented with the weeklong non-certified Summer Educational Institute in Visual Resources and Image Management (SEI) course is suggested to better prepare future VR professionals for the field.