In the face of seismic shifts in technology and social organization, librarians and library staff face changing roles. A focus on competencies--the skills, knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes that are involved in a job--can help the library profession keep its footing as well as help librarians stick to values. When well done, they can define a framework for library practice that encompasses the solidity of tradition and the flexibility to absorb future shock. Identifying competencies critical to the vitality of the institution provides a basis for change management for the institution and the individual. While the nature and pace of change present significant challenges, many core values and services hold firm. This dynamic balance is apparent in the Competency Index for the Library Field, WebJunction's compilation of competencies, which addresses a broad spectrum of library service and practice. With or without a degree, the author stresses that everyone who works in a library must stay nimble and ready to receive new knowledge and skills. If librarians and library staff engage in continual learning, they will all be better prepared for those larger seismic shifts.