Abstract:Libraries and university presses coexist in a complex and increasingly consolidated scholarly communication ecosystem. Each brings different strengths, values, and viewpoints that can inform and enrich a joint project. In this paper we discuss potential barriers to and benefits of collaboration between academic libraries and university presses and introduce a case study of such a collaboration: the Open Textbook Toolkit. This project, funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is currently investigating the components needed to support faculty in one discipline, psychology, who are considering adopting open educational resources. By leveraging both library and press expertise, the Toolkit represents one model for fruitful collaboration.

No abstract

insights-library-archivaland-information-sciences.

Subject liaisons have traditionally focused on providing domain-specific services and collections. Recently, however, their roles have shifted from a support model to actively engaging and collaborating with scholars throughout the academic life cycle and research enterprise. At the same time, users increasingly require functional information support (e.g., for GIS, data visualization, or data mining) in place of or in addition to domain-specific services. As the liaison role continues to evolve, finding the right balance between the roles of generalist, subject specialist, and functional expert will provide both challenges and opportunities. This proceeding focuses on a case study of two librarians in the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries who started out in the Collections & Research Strategy Department and ended up in a new department, Research Engagement. One librarian transitioned from being a libraries fellow into a new role as research librarian for Engineering & Entrepreneurship and the other librarian transitioned from being the associate head of the Collections & Research Strategy Department into being the head of the new department. The librarians will share their perspectives and experiences around helping to shape this new department, including figuring out the role of the new department in the organization, building an identity, and developing goals and priorities. The librarians will also share what traditional skills were still needed in their new roles and what strategies were employed for identifying and building new skills.

Libraries have a rich tradition of providing services and support to researchers. In recent years, changing technology, evolving research methods and requirements, and the transforming landscape of scholarly communication have revealed a need for libraries to actively engage scholars and participate in the entire research lifecycle. As liaison and subject librarian roles shift to a more holistic and engagement-focused model, it is important that libraries provide them with the tools and resources to develop new skills. This paper will focus on three ways in which the North Carolina State University Libraries created and supported relevant training and opportunities for research librarians to gain the expertise necessary to embrace new roles and deeper collaboration across the research enterprise. Examples include the Data and Visualization Institute for Librarians, the Visualization Discussion Series, and the Research Data Committee. Through these examples, we will share ideas for creating peer-to-peer learning opportunities, explore some of the skills necessary for increased engagement, and provide insights into the challenges and opportunities related to supporting and developing new skills for librarians.