1. R EFERENCE L IBRARIAN : S OFT S KILLS Prepared by: Ma. Raizza M. Cantara

2. S OFT SKILLS Public Service Attitude Collaboration Leadership Project Management Adaptability Communications

3. P UBLIC S ERVICE A TTITUDE Reference librarians who are consistently demonstrate the human element in their service delivery. We need librarians who have positive, optimistic attitude and pleasant demeanors. This service attitudes librarians require were honed in the reference desk environment; how relevant is a service attitude for digital and virtual reference.

4. C OLLABORATION Collaboration defines as “working jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor”. Librarians need to recognize and respect the role played by the user in the information interaction. Librarians must actively pursue collaborations that enhance services for their users.

5. R ELATIONSHIPS WITH U SERS Goal: A librarian treats the user as a collaborator and partner in the information seeking process. Strategies: Utilizes the Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Services Professionals on Listening/Inquiring, Searching, and Follow-up. Asks user's opinion and advice while working through the information transaction. Involves the user in the process and in making decisions. Acknowledges the knowledge brought by the user to the interaction. Acknowledges the limits of local resources and refers to an appropriate resource base.

6. R ELATIONSHIPS WITH C OLLEAGUES Goal: A librarian works closely with colleagues to provide quality service to users. Strategies: Recognizes that colleagues have unique knowledge, skills, and strengths that can assist in responding to inquiries. Elicits assistance from a colleague when appropriate. Seeks opportunities to share knowledge and expertise with colleagues. Facilitates and participates with colleagues in team development efforts to improve user service. Works effectively as part of a team. Models effective team process behavior, including listening, discussing, and trust. Develops with colleagues shared goals and values for excellent user services.

7. R ELATIONSHIPS W ITHIN THE P ROFESSION Goal: A librarian develops collaborative relationships within the profession to enhance service to users. Strategies: Takes advantage of the networking opportunities provided by active participation in local, regional, state, national, and international professional organizations. Identifies and seeks out possible partners in order to expand services to users. Volunteers for and participates in state and national collaborative efforts that will benefit local users. Utilizes the Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Services Professionals on Follow-up.

8. R ELATIONSHIPS BEYOND THE L IBRARY AND THE P ROFESSION Goal: A librarian develops and maintains partnerships beyond the library and the profession to strengthen services to users Strategies: Identifies partners who have knowledge and expertise of value to the library's users. Communicates effectively with partners to ensure mutual understanding of goals, objectives, and values. Forms partnerships to improve existing systems and to develop new products and services.

9. L EADERSHIP Library management especially the big library is team exercise. Hence it is required to have leadership skills to manage and guiding the team time to time, as every subordinate is important for carrying out their work efficiently for smooth running of library. Leadership is highly desirable to have managers who are also leaders, leaders often do not have managerial responsibilities.

10. R EFERENCES : http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=ocUU2emLf 0wC&pg=PA310&lpg=PA310&dq=adaptability+o f+a+reference+librarian&source=bl&ots=EBkGy TRAMN&sig=oc80C5Cp257V62nWc_wHEnAc7f8 &hl=en&sa http://library- profession.blogspot.com/2008/12/soft-skills- for-librarians.html http://www.ala.org/rusa/resources/guidelines/prof essional