Hi,
a short while ago I asked for help in compiling a list of library-wide responsibilities which subject/academic librarians performed in addition to their specified tasks and liaison work. I hope I have got the information down correctly - if you see any errors please feel free to correct me! Here is a summary of the responses:
Method:
I used lis-link to survey academic libraries and received 5 replies. I also used the Sconul list of universities to scan library websites of around 70% listed. I found a few where it was possible to match named subject librarians to library-wide roles but many either did not display the names of subject specialists or they had no named contacts for specialist services and roles.
Results:
It’s difficult to come to any general conclusion, but it is evident from the sample that subject specialists do have substantial library-wide responsibilities although these are not always named. Of the other libraries for which no definite information is available, there are a few where there are named subject specialists in addition to other named individuals who hold specialist roles whom one can assume are not subject specialists. The most common of these are for disabilities/special needs and copyright.
Aberdeen. Named roles for: copyright, disabilities, distance learning - information from website search
Anglia. Named roles for: international students, marketing and outreach, social media, reading lists, research skills (also have a research support librarian), degrees at work, Alma, LibAnswers, REfresh (academic staff programme), RefWorks, Harvard guide. Site-based:
study skills, learning and development for library staff. Library-wide groups: subject librarians on e-development steering, information skills
Bath. No named roles but for some specialist services library users are asked to contact their (named) subject librarian - information from website search
Bodleian. Specialist librarian for disabled students works to arrange 1-1 sessions.
Bradford. Named roles for special collections, systems, distance learning, e-resources and copyright - information from website search
Chester. Named roles for acquisitions, journals management, institutional repository, collections management, accessible books, reference management software, copyright, catalogue management
Coventry. Named roles for schools liaison, international students, ethic and minority support, research and others not specified.
Goldsmiths. Named roles hidden amongst potted histories of librarians -audio-visual collection, web 2.0, disabilities.
LSE. No named roles: however, special responsibilities, sometimes allied to subject area and sometimes overlapping other subject librarians' responsibilities, referencing, collection development, data collections, open access, 1-1s
Napier. No named contacts but all librarians have ownership of an area including: copyright, education, documentation, research/REF/OA,
bibliographic management and others not specified
Reading. Named contacts for library website, managing Summon, digital developments, research support, special education needs. Not all have extra library-wide responsibilities and some overlap.
|