emma walton loughborough university
TRANSCRIPT
Subject Librarians – a fresh lookAn Exploration of the theme
Emma Walton
Director of Library Services Loughborough University
The plan
My experience – the personal context
Sector reflectionsThe current and future landscapeModelsRoles
Closing thoughts
Past experience
2015- Director of Library Services
2013-2015 Head of Academic Services
2005-2013 Learning and Teaching Support Manager
2001-2005 Subject Librarian
1997-2001 – Information Specialist (commercial media company)
Sector reflections - Change
Changing government policy
Economic climateStudent feesResearch funding
competitionOpen AccessTechnological
advancementsHighly Competitive
Value for moneyReturn on investmentEfficiencyContinuous improvementExcellence
Impact of change on Academic Libraries
Librarians under threat(THES 2005)
Bangor librarians
face internet threat
(Guardian 2005)
Job titles
Faculty LibrarianInformation Skills AdvisorsLibrary Liaison ManagerSubject LibrarianSubject Liaison Librarian
Academic Librarian @ L’boro
Models
Model Characteristics
Traditional A subject librarian supports an Academic School/Faculty or collection of depts covering all aspects of liaison from UG-Research
Traditional plus + As above but with additional support from team for particular aspects of Library service. Each subject librarian may have a portfolio or special responsibility
Hybrid Teams exist (physical or otherwise) to respond to key areas of Library service e.g Teaching and Learning or Research but also have specific academic liaison responsibilities
Functional/Specialist Teams are created to look at particular areas of Library service e.g Research Support, User engagement, Teaching and Learning and support all areas across the Institution.
Which model?
No wrong or right – but should be successful
A successful model needs to
Have strategic fit Be culturally suitable Meet current and future needs Address gapsand may require a re-balancing of personnel and skillsbe a reaction to changing institutional aims, metrics, altered or new ambitions, Be a result of financial constraints
Even if it is a reaction needs to be a decision based on clear, thoughtful, review and evaluation of needs both of the institution, the Library, the users and the staff.
Get your phones out
www.govote.at 47 45 30
Two questions
1) Name one task that you didn’t do when you started out or are surprised you do as part of your role?
2) What do you spend most of your time doing?
Roles
Data analyst Data manager Innovative teacher Learner Researcher Community
facilitator Collections manager Subject specialist Marketing specialist
Team Player Counsellor/mentor Project worker Collaborator/partner Advocate Negotiator Networker
Skills or attributes
interpersonal skills communication skills team working project
working/management analytical skills evaluation skills statistical skills negotiation skills influencing skills advocacy skills teaching skills research knowledge problem solving technologically adept/aware
flexibleagileability to adaptpositiverelationship buildinginnovativecreativeuser focused
Are we expecting too much?
As employers we have high expectations
As a profession we should aim high
we should have high aspirations for our users and ourselves
In return
You should expect investment in you with training and support
You should expect clear, communicated thoughts and discussion about roles,needs and models and changes
Yes we can.
High expectations, high achievers
Examples are here amongst us today presenting their practice and innovation
Winning awards
Writing articles
Creative thinking
Thoughtful reflection and evaluation
Making friends across institutions and beyond
Closing thoughts – A fresh look?
Its always good to have a fresh look, we should all feel able to critically assess what we do, it keeps us relevant, provides opportunities and meets challenges.
Model change? Perhaps? The role of the subject librarian is all about creating relationships so we need to
ensure all are able to do this Increasingly important to be collaborative, to work with others, to utilise expertise
but also to believe in our own knowledge We need to be brave and open to change, new ways of working and new
opportunities We do an excellent job for our users, we are good citizens, we care
We need to show our value We need to proud of what we do
Questions
?
References
Pinfield, S (2001) The changing role of subject librarians in academic libraries. Journal of Information Science 33, (1) Cooke, L et al (2011) Evaluating the impact of academic liasion Librarians on their user community: a review and case studyNew Review of Academic Librarianship 17 (1) Creaser, C & Spezi, V(2012) Working together: evolving value for academic libraries (Report commissioned by Sage)Brewerton, A (2011) ‘and any other duties deemed necessary:’an analysis of subject librarian job descriptions SCONUL Focus 51 2011Reskilling for Research (2012) Report conducted for RLUK by Mary AuklandJanuary 2012Harvell, J and Walton, E (2009) Delivering Academic Support at the University of Sussex SCONUL Focus 45
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