Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the core competencies for librarians working in special libraries. It also measures the competencies of librarians working in special libraries of the Punjab Province against the checklist developed by the Special Library Association (SLA) Task Force. The study also identifies the training needs of librarians working in special libraries and the problems they face in acquiring SLA competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

A peer-reviewed questionnaire based on the list of competencies for special librarians prepared by the SLA Task Force was used to collect quantitative data from a targeted population. An online survey was administered to approach the population working in special libraries of Punjab Province. Collected data was analyzed statistically through SPSS software.

Findings

A review of literature highlighted the various competencies for librarians working in special libraries (Figure 1). The findings of the study showed that the competencies identified by SLA Task Force are imperative for librarians working in special libraries of Punjab Province. The results showed that librarians working in special libraries of Punjab possessed an intermediate level of competencies identified by the SLA. However, they had a good level of basic professional and interpersonal skills. The study highlights the training needs of librarians working in special libraries to enable them in acquiring relevant competencies.

Research limitations/implications

The study measures the competencies of librarians in special libraries of the Punjab Province. During the data collection phase, it was observed that there were some libraries where the non-professional/supporting staff was deputed, and due to this, data could not be collected from these libraries.

Practical implications

This study has practical implications for librarians and information professionals working in special libraries to acquire the relevant competencies identified by the SLA. This study has identified various competencies areas that are essential for librarians working in special libraries.

Social implications

Librarians working in any special library can use the results of this study as a checklist to improve their competencies level and work efficiently.

Originality/value

In contrast to other studies conducted on professional competencies of library professionals working in academic libraries, this study particularly identifies and measures the competencies of librarians working in special libraries.

中文翻译：

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在特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员的专业能力：巴基斯坦的情况

目的

这项研究的目的是确定在特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员的核心能力。它还根据特别图书馆协会（SLA）特别工作组制定的清单，衡量在旁遮普省特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员的能力。该研究还确定了在特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员的培训需求，以及他们在获得SLA能力方面面临的问题。

设计/方法/方法

根据SLA工作组编写的基于特殊图书馆员能力列表的同行评审问卷，用于从目标人群中收集定量数据。进行了在线调查，以调查旁遮普省特殊图书馆的工作人口。通过SPSS软件对收集的数据进行统计分析。

发现

文献综述突出显示了在特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员的各种能力（图1）。研究结果表明，SLA工作组确定的能力对于在旁遮普省特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员来说是必不可少的。结果表明，在旁遮普特别图书馆工作的图书馆员具有SLA所确定的中等水平的能力。但是，他们具有较高的基本专业和人际交往能力。该研究强调了在特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员的培训需求，以使他们获得相关能力。

研究局限/意义

该研究测量了旁遮普省特殊图书馆馆员的能力。在数据收集阶段，发现有些图书馆由非专业/支持人员代理，因此，无法从这些图书馆收集数据。

实际影响

这项研究对在特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员和信息专业人员获取SLA所确定的相关能力具有实际意义。这项研究确定了各种能力领域，这些领域对于在特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员来说是必不可少的。

社会影响

在任何特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员都可以将本研究的结果用作清单，以提高其能力水平并有效地工作。

创意/价值

与针对在高校图书馆工作的图书馆专业人员的专业能力进行的其他研究相反，本研究特别确定并衡量了在特殊图书馆工作的图书馆员的能力。