The emergence in the recent years of the Semantic Web has provided powerful means to add value to digital data, by allowing (in a semi-automated way) to establish links between different (but related) concepts in the same domain and, even more important, to establish links crossing the traditional boundaries of different disciplines. Transforming the catalogue into a “cloud” of linked data will make it easier to find the desired information and will allow serendipitous discoveries. There is a growing need for information professionals with skills in digitization, data enrichment, digital archiving, long term preservation, or, in other words, in what is today called “digital curation”, i.e. the ability to add value to digital assets for access, use and re-use over the long term.
However, most of the time, curriculum models still support the traditional definitions of roles, functions, and audiences of the LAMs, encompassing descriptive cataloguing, subject access, classification, metadata, knowledge organisation, bibliographic control and other related areas for all formats of information resources. Convergence of the educational curricula for information professionals has been a topic of much discussion in the LAM communities; the emerging similarities between these three types of cultural heritage institutions (most apparent in their on-line activities) are not yet evident in the education of professionals who work in them.
The presentation will report about the on-going investigation of current digital curator education and training programs with regard to the role of information professionals in the digital information lifecycle. The investigation has been based on a series of surveys, workshops and events discussing the concerns of researchers and teachers about digital information and digital curation. Some preliminary results have produced a list of competencies and skills at the technical and operational level that information professionals should have. Professional practice can evolve in the context provided by digital curation, and respond in a manner that supports common goals across institution types. New inter-disciplinary foci for professional training can provide skills needed across the sector, while respecting the distinct histories, cultural roles, and responsibilities of libraries, archives, and museums.