Faculty - Library LiaisonsObservations from Non-Traditional Faculty Interactions

Kristy PadronFlorida Atlantic University

May 10, 2010CSUL Information Literacy Subcommittee

Rodwell, J. & Fairbairn, L. (2008). Dangerous liaison? Defining the faculty liaison librarian service model, its effectiveness, and sustainability. Library Management, 29(1/2): 116-124.

A formal structured activity… meet with teaching faculty to discuss strategems for directly supporting the instructional needs and those of students.

Engage more closely with the university’s core activity of research and teaching.◦ Embed their activities with academic programs than just

supporting or aligning with them.

Liaisons in a Library Context

Traditional liaison programs lack impact and are too passive. It’s frequently carried alongside with traditional library activities (collection development).

Web pages don’t show the extent or depth of liaison services.

Changes in the library/higher education environment is providing an impetus to look for new ways to meet demands.

◦ The complexity of the information environment is an opportunity to reconnect with faculty.

Macaluso, S.J. & Petruzzelli, B.W. (2005). The Library Liaison Toolkit: learning to bridge the communication gap. The Reference Librarian, 43(89): 163-177.

Librarians at SUNY New Paltz created a liaison program based on information generated at a retreat.

Identified communication issues, relevant (and flexible, voluntary) liaison activities, and training needs.

Structuring a Liaison Program

A toolkit was created to advise on relationship building and finding departmental information.

Stahl, A.D. & Baker, N. (1997). What I want in a librarian. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 37(2): 133.

Proactivity tempered with a sense of when to back off (“simultaneously hands on and hands off).

Clear communication. Keep me informed. Tell me how I can contribute to building the library. I need your teaching skills where new technologies

are concerned. Let me observe you.

What do faculty want in librarians?

Sunshine State Librarian Leadership Institute: a librarian and a non-library mentor

Library Orientation Student Life Skills

Examples of Non-Traditional Liaisons

A University Search Committee (Director of CUTLA)

Important contacts made throughout campus!

Liaisons were helpful for me at that level in my career...

Examples of Non-Traditional Liaisons

FAU Athletics Academic coordinator

Basketball team's library session

Plagiarism workshop to come!

Examples of Non-Traditional Liaisons

1.The need to network

2.See opportunities in many scenarios

3.What were some past scenarios where new networks or conversations could had taken place (search committees, event attendance, etc)?

4.Open doors to communicate needs, concerns, and goals

What do these scenarios have in common?

5. What are the projects or priorities within other departments?

6. Tell the library's story to those who work outside of it:

“What? I didn't know that!"

7. Use resources in novel ways

What do these scenarios have in common?

P.S. Chin up: something else might work next time!