Abstract:

In all cases, new educational technologies are based on the processes related to the change of the educational paradigm from accredited qualification to certified skills. Example of such change is the Laboratory of Library Technologies, Communications and Informing (LibLab) – a project of the State University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (SULSIT), Sofia, Bulgaria.

This educational paradigm affects one of the fundamental cornerstone structures of higher education - the university library. Practical training of students should no longer be based on the passive use of available library resources, regardless of their degree of digitization and the applications of cloud technologies. In all cases students’ practical skills are required not only when handling information and knowledge, but in order to become active participants in their presentation, analysis, preprocessing, brokering and dissemination.

At the State University of Library, Studies and Information Technologies in Sofia, Bulgaria, a model of such inclusion of a library in the educational process has been applied by the Laboratory of Library Technologies, Communications and Informing, which was launched in 2013.

LibLab’s fields of activity are associated with the formation of bibliographic culture, the application of modern library technologies, communication exchange and information literacy. The main objectives of the laboratory are oriented towards maximizing the use of its resources, in order to provide specialized training in various academic disciplines. With its activity the Laboratory aims at balancing between the development of innovative ideas and the achievement of benefits by applying them in real environment, as well as supporting the implementation of new educational approaches in the learning process.

At SULSIT, combining tradition with innovation is a priority in the learning process of BA, MA and PhD students. The University is an established national center for scientific exchange of knowledge and there are opportunities for experimentation, research work and free choice in applying interactive approaches in the learning process. It is the LibLab model that not only facilitates professional communication, bursts of creativity and the innovation of the academic community, but it also supports most actively the opportunities for continuing education and further qualification of professionals in the field of library and information.

Keywords:

Educational paradigm, information technologies, university library, scientific exchange of knowledge, certified skills.