For the past year, I have been quietly following the ijLSim WhatsApp group, run tirelessly by Dr. U. Pramanathan. Almost every day, without fail, he shares library-related opportunities from across India—walk-in interviews, contractual appointments, deputation vacancies, assistant librarian posts, workshops, webinars, and much more.
Between July 2025 and July 2026, the group accumulated 825 messages. As I worked through them, I found myself asking a simple question:
What are Indian institutions really looking for in Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals today?
The first answer was reassuringly familiar.
An MLIS degree still remains the primary gateway into the profession. UGC-NET or SET continues to be one of the most common eligibility requirements, appearing in roughly seven out of every ten recruitment notices I reviewed. A Ph.D., meanwhile, is becoming increasingly important for senior positions such as Librarian and Deputy Librarian, moving from a preferred qualification to an explicit requirement in many cases.
Anyone who graduated in 2005, 2010, or even a few years later would recognise this part of the landscape immediately.
But there was a second layer to the story.
And that is where things became interesting.
Koha appeared 37 times across the postings. Not “library automation” as a broad concept, but Koha itself—named directly and repeatedly. DSpace followed with 11 mentions. INFLIBNET, N-LIST, Shodhganga, DELNET, and Scopus also appeared frequently, not as passing references but as expected areas of working knowledge.
This suggests a noticeable shift. Knowing cataloguing rules, MARC fields, or classification schemes alone is no longer enough. Employers increasingly expect candidates to have practical experience. They want professionals who have worked with Koha’s staff interface, configured an OPAC, managed circulation modules, uploaded theses into DSpace repositories, and handled digital library workflows in real-world settings.
Then another trend appeared.
Quietly, but unmistakably.
Artificial Intelligence entered the conversation.
Across the notices, I found 18 references to AI or Artificial Intelligence, with nine specifically mentioning “AI tools” as a desirable skill. These were not casual buzzwords added for effect. They appeared alongside communication skills, computer literacy, and other core competencies.
That caught my attention.
I have written previously about what I call the Trust Paradox—the idea that the more confidently an AI system presents information, the more likely people are to accept it without verification. Looking through these job notices, I realised employers are arriving at a similar conclusion.
They are not simply looking for people who can use AI.
They are looking for people who understand where AI helps, where it fails, and when human judgement is still essential.
In other words, fluency is not competence.
And increasingly, institutions expect candidates to demonstrate both.
So, if a young LIS graduate were to ask me over a cup of tea what they should focus on today, my answer would be straightforward:
Your degree gets you into the interview room.
Your NET qualification helps you clear the first shortlist.
But practical skills—Koha on your laptop, DSpace on your résumé, and a clear understanding of what AI tools can and cannot do—are what make you stand out in a competitive field.
Based on this review, I developed the following checklist. It is organised not as a list to read once and forget, but as a roadmap students can actively work through.
LIS Job Readiness Checklist
Based on an analysis of 200+ recruitment notices shared in the ijLSim WhatsApp group between July 2025 and July 2026.
Educational Qualifications
- MLIS / M.Lib.I.Sc. – Minimum qualification for most Librarian and Assistant Librarian positions
- BLIS – Commonly required for Library Assistant and junior professional roles
- UGC-NET or NET/SET in Library and Information Science
- Ph.D. – Increasingly expected for senior academic library positions
- M.Phil. – Less common today, but still preferred by some institutions
Core Library Automation Skills
- Koha – The most frequently mentioned library software across the postings
- DSpace – Repository management and institutional archiving
- MARC21 cataloguing standards
- DDC and UDC classification systems
- Metadata standards such as Dublin Core
- RFID and library automation hardware basics
- OPAC configuration and troubleshooting
Digital Resource and Research Support Skills
- INFLIBNET and N-LIST administration
- Shodhganga submission workflows
- DELNET resource sharing and networking
- Scopus and Web of Science navigation
- Bibliometric indicators, citation tracking, and impact factor awareness
- Plagiarism detection tools such as Turnitin and similar platforms
Emerging Skills That Differentiate Candidates
- Practical AI tool literacy for reference services, literature searches, and workflow support
- Understanding AI limitations, including hallucinated references and verification requirements
- Basic data analytics for reporting and assessment
- Data visualisation tools such as Canva and Google Looker Studio
- Familiarity with open-source library technologies
Computer Literacy
- MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Basic website and content management skills
- Digitisation workflows and digital document handling
Soft Skills
- Strong communication skills, particularly English proficiency
- User support and interpersonal skills
- Leadership and team management capabilities for senior roles
- Attention to detail for cataloguing and records management
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
The Bottom Line
The traditional pathway into Indian librarianship remains largely unchanged. An MLIS degree combined with NET qualification continues to open most doors.
What is changing is the layer above that foundation.
Today, the strongest candidates combine formal qualifications with practical technology skills. They understand Koha, can work with digital repositories, are comfortable using AI tools responsibly, and possess a basic understanding of data and analytics.