Evolving roles of librarians in the digital knowledge ecosystem

Abstract

The digital transformation of society has fundamentally reshaped the profession of librarianship, expanding its scope beyond traditional collection management to encompass new responsibilities in digital curation, information literacy, and knowledge mediation. This article examines the evolving roles of librarians within the digital knowledge ecosystem, highlighting how technological innovation, open access movements, and data-driven research have redefined library practices. It explores the emergence of librarians as educators, research partners, and ethical guardians of information in an environment characterized by information abundance and rapid technological change. The discussion emphasizes the librarian’s role in fostering digital literacy, ensuring equitable access to knowledge, and safeguarding the ethical dimensions of information use. By analyzing these developments, the paper argues that librarianship remains an essential human-centered profession, committed to connecting people with knowledge, preserving cultural memory, and supporting lifelong learning in the digital age.