Search results

1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 10 January 2008

John Rodwell and Linden Fairbairn

Many university libraries are adopting a faculty liaison librarian structure as an integral part of their organization and service delivery model. This paper aims to examine, in a…

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Abstract

Purpose

Many university libraries are adopting a faculty liaison librarian structure as an integral part of their organization and service delivery model. This paper aims to examine, in a pragmatic way, the variations in the definition of the role of the faculty liaison librarian, the expectations of those librarians, their library managers and their clients and the impact of environmental factors. The faculty liaison librarian role is not entirely new, evolving from the traditional subject librarian and university special/branch library role. However the emerging role is characterized by a more outward‐looking perspective and complexity, emphasizing stronger involvement and partnership with the faculty and direct engagement in the University's teaching and research programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of the literature and other sources on the rationale and role of library liaison, the current developments, drivers and expectations are discussed.

Findings

The study finds that dynamic external and internal environments of universities are driving the evolution of library liaison, so the role description is still fluid. However, the breadth and weight of expectations is now such that the effectiveness and sustainability of the role has to be addressed.

Practical implications

While a dynamic, broader and more intensive role for the faculty liaison librarian is emerging, more thinking is needed about the extent of that role and its sustainability. What, for example, are the priorities for the faculty liaison librarian? What traditional activities can, and may, have to be abandoned? These considerations are necessary not only to guide the librarians, but also to help define the attributes and skills required for the position and to determine the institutional support it requires.

Originality/value

This is a contemporary critique of the well‐established, but diverse library service – the faculty liaison librarian structure.

Details

Library Management, vol. 29 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Doug Goans, Guy Leach and Teri M. Vogel

To report on the content management system designed to manage the 30 web‐based research guides developed by the subject liaison librarians at the Georgia State University Library.

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Abstract

Purpose

To report on the content management system designed to manage the 30 web‐based research guides developed by the subject liaison librarians at the Georgia State University Library.

Design/methodology/approach

The web development librarian, with assistance from the web programmer, designed a system using MySQL and ASP. A liaison team gave input on the system through rigorous testing and assisted with the design of the templates that control the layout of the content on the guides. A usability study and two surveys were also completed.

Findings

The new system met and exceeded the baseline expectations for content collection and management, offering a greater control over appearance and navigation while still offering customization features for liaisons. Improvements are planned for the templates in addition to better promotion of the guides on the library web site. Initial and ongoing training for the liaisons should have been more effectively addressed. Despite their observed and future potential advantages, the CMS model has not been universally adopted by academic libraries.

Practical implications

Regardless of the technology involved, libraries preparing for a CMS transition must give at least as much attention to user issues as they do to technical issues, from the organizational buy‐in and comprehensive training to internal/external usability.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a small but growing collection of CMS case studies. It covers the technical, functional, and managerial developments of a CMS, while also addressing the practical user factors that sometimes get lost in the process.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 24 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 November 2009

James Thull and Mary Anne Hansen

The purpose of this paper is to provide an updated definition of academic liaison work and examine methods for developing effective liaison relationships.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an updated definition of academic liaison work and examine methods for developing effective liaison relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reviewed and incorporated recently published (1989‐2009) material relating to academic liaison work. In addition to published material the authors conducted a survey of faculty in their liaison areas during the fall 2008 semester in order to access their knowledge and satisfaction with liaison services.

Findings

The paper finds that liaison work is multifaceted and success is based both on administrative support and the individual liaisons efforts.

Originality/value

The originality of this work includes the definition of liaison work and requirements of academic liaisons in today's libraries. The paper is of value to current academic liaisons and librarians just entering the field of academia. The paper incorporates recent research, an author conducted survey and the authors' nearly two decades of combined liaison experience and may serve as an overview of the expectations and potential benefits of academic liaison work.

Details

New Library World, vol. 110 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2016

Kelly Broughton

The library’s strategic plan calls for the author to “Transform the role of the subject liaison librarian to better engage the campus community.” This statement specifically…

745

Abstract

Purpose

The library’s strategic plan calls for the author to “Transform the role of the subject liaison librarian to better engage the campus community.” This statement specifically focusses on the aspect of the liaison role that builds relationships with the campus partners, “to better engage the campus community.” And like the peers, liaison librarians at this mid-size research institution have been struggling not only with implementing but also determining how to measure this new role. The purpose of this paper is to develop one measure of librarian engagement with the campus community.

Design/methodology/approach

The author developed a “campus relationship matrix” that articulates dozens of products that could potentially be the result of liaison work, such as co-authoring a grant proposal, developing a class, co-presenting a workshop on article impact metrics, etc. These relationship products were generated by examining the own work and by scanning liaison responsibility statements from other institutions. These products fall into three relationship status levels: emergent, generative, and productive. Each subject librarian was asked to rate his and her relationship with each department he or she serves. Additionally, in order to achieve consistency across the organization in understanding of three relationship levels, the author engaged in an exercise to calibrate the categorization of these work products. During this exercise and through the discussions, greater nuances were revealed about what the author is hoping to achieve with the strategic goal. A review and summary of the ratings is presented.

Findings

Baseline counts of relationship types were completed. The author is working to establish goals for next year’s comparisons. In actuality, the specific goals matters much less than the conversations surrounding these results about what work the author should be doing and why and how is valued.

Originality/value

This study presents a tool useful for the exploration and measure of librarian relationships with campus.

Details

Performance Measurement and Metrics, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-8047

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2011

Vanessa Warren

The purpose of this study is to examine the practical context and implications surrounding a workforce review undertaken by the University of Tasmania (UTAS) Library and the…

8426

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the practical context and implications surrounding a workforce review undertaken by the University of Tasmania (UTAS) Library and the measures taken to address the key problems it identified, particularly those relating to the recruitment and retention of new and existing liaison librarians.

Design/methodology/approach

Workforce planning methodologies were used to identify the gaps in the Library's projected staffing needs and current situation. Two of the major changes implemented to address these gaps were the restructuring of liaison librarian positions, and the implementation of a development and articulation structure for new librarians.

Findings

The workforce planning process identified a number of key gaps in capacity, particularly in terms of the ability to retain existing liaison librarians, and the recruitment of new librarians to anticipate the impending impact of a significantly aged workforce. After the restructuring and development framework were implemented UTAS Library found itself with an increase in new librarian staff, a structure that better reflected skills of staff, and enabled greater flexibility and movement across levels.

Originality/value

The paper provides a practical example of workforce planning, position restructuring and formal development structures for new librarians in an academic library.

Details

New Library World, vol. 112 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2009

Ramirose Ilene Attebury and Joshua Finnell

The purpose of this paper is to analyze job advertisements in United States academic libraries in order to determine the prevalence of jobs that contain a liaison component. It…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze job advertisements in United States academic libraries in order to determine the prevalence of jobs that contain a liaison component. It also aims to report on a survey of current library science graduate students to assess their level of understanding of what liaison work entails and what type of preparation they have had for such work in their LIS program.

Design/methodology/approach

The study includes an analysis of 313 academic library job advertisements. It also uses a 12 question survey, which was distributed to 52 library school listservs throughout the USA. The survey announcements resulted in 516 responses from library school students nationwide.

Findings

Of the jobs surveyed more than a quarter specifically mentioned liaison activities. The survey showed that few respondents have been exposed to a discussion of liaison work in their classrooms. Those who have demonstrated greater awareness of what constitutes liaison work demonstrate greater self‐confidence in their ability to become successful liaisons.

Research limitations/implications

The anonymous survey did not require participants to indicate what school they attended, possibly resulting in a geographically biased sample. The survey also did not ask respondents at what point they were in their program, so that some respondents may have been very new to their library school studies and may not have had the opportunity to take many classes at the time of the survey.

Practical implications

This study suggests that library schools should find ways to incorporate a discussion of liaison work into some part of their curriculum, especially for students interested in academic librarianship.

Originality/value

No other studies have analyzed job descriptions in terms of liaison work, nor have any studies surveyed students to determine their knowledge of, and preparation for, this type of work.

Details

New Library World, vol. 110 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1984

A. Holbrook

A review of the human and professional relationships between university social scientists and the subject librarian. Some general principles that concentrate on personal aspects…

Abstract

A review of the human and professional relationships between university social scientists and the subject librarian. Some general principles that concentrate on personal aspects of interaction are put forward for consideration. Problems and techniques in establishing initial contact with users are outlined followed by analysis of formal and informal liaison with the three main groups: undergraduates, postgraduates and staff, the latter in more detail. Attention is paid to wider influence on user/librarian contact. These include social scientists' perception of the library and subject librarian, the siting and organisational context of the subject librarian, and the long‐term need for the liaison role.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 36 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

Tom Glynn and Connie Wu

A task force at Rutgers University Libraries was charged with exploring ways to develop more effective liaison relations with teaching departments. As a preliminary step the…

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Abstract

A task force at Rutgers University Libraries was charged with exploring ways to develop more effective liaison relations with teaching departments. As a preliminary step the working group surveyed Rutgers liaisons to identify preferred practices and to solicit comments on trends in liaisonship in academic libraries. Based on this survey, we examine changes in the information profession and how they have effected the reference and instruction that departmental liaisons provide to faculty and students. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of the Internet. Generally, electronic resources have made faculty and students less reliant on liaisons for help with their research, while electronic communication, especially via e‐mail, has the potential to make liaisonship more efficient and effective. We offer a number of recommendations for effective liaisonship, including concise and purposeful e‐mail messages and making direct and personal contact with faculty and students whenever possible.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 8 October 2018

Elizabeth A. Martin and Lynn A. Sheehan

Library buildings are routinely reimagined, remodeled, or built new to meet the changing needs of their community. The move from collection-centric to user-centric service models…

Abstract

Library buildings are routinely reimagined, remodeled, or built new to meet the changing needs of their community. The move from collection-centric to user-centric service models has generated numerous writings about the library as place and space. The one concept lacking in the scholarly discourse is the changing roles of librarians to meet the needs of these new spaces and places. How do librarians fit in the new equation? When addressing the professional identity of librarians, which aspect of their work will need to evolve and which will need to be let go? A critical facet of sustaining services in new spaces is the need to develop the sustainable librarian – to remove the stigma of the librarian as “jack of all trades, master of none.” In order to realize this new mindset of mastering our domain we need to begin reimagining our work. Some ways, this can be accomplished by writing increased flexibility into position descriptions and creating organizational structures to better support librarians within the new spaces. With these new developments to our professional identities, librarians may learn to employ entrepreneurial skills in order to continuously anticipate services and develop skill sets to aid the library’s ability to fulfill its purpose. The authors provide a literature review to discuss the changing role of the academic librarian to meet the evolution of the library building and services. We will provide an example through findings and practices of Grand Valley State University and how it reimagined roles in the early 2000s and continues to reimagine roles in a new building and a renovated branch library. The change of spaces and places in academic libraries to accommodate user needs and perceptions has impacted how academic librarians work in these spaces and places. Library administrators need to rethink workflows, and organizational charts by examining flexible workloads, cross-training initiatives, professional development around new skills, and the letting go of obsolete practices.

Originality/value – in this chapter, the authors will discuss how library leaders are charged with translating the new roles of their librarians to meet the needs of their community in these new spaces and how library leaders may look beyond the literature of the profession for ways to facilitate change.

Details

Challenging the “Jacks of All Trades but Masters of None” Librarian Syndrome
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78756-903-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2012

Jo Henry

The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast four academic liaison programs.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast four academic liaison programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Areas addressed include liaison subject specialization, communication methods, duties, and program evaluation.

Findings

This paper found similarities in areas of orientation meetings, library guides, and information literacy classes. Unique concepts among the four libraries studied include physical classroom embedment, use of specialized class web pages, faculty literacy classes, and concentrated faculty information literacy assistance.

Originality/value

The results presented provide insight into current academic library liaison practices and the faculty‐liaison relationship.

Details

Library Review, vol. 61 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

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