Assessing an academic library liaison programme

Abstract

Definition of a liaison programmeA liaison programme is designed to provide a communication link between the library and the academic community and enhance the image of the library. "Assigning librarians to work with specific departments in a systematic and structured way creates a channel of communication that allows the faculty's needs to be understood by the library and the library to be interpreted to the faculty" [1]. It can be a cornerstone of the promotion and marketing effort of the library and can facilitate the development of a strong library collection that will support the curriculum and the research needs of the various disciplines in the institution. Once a liaison programme has been established, periodic evaluation is necessary. The following is an assessment of an on-going liaison programme. Case studyThe Kent State University Libraries and Media Services (KSU L/MS) Liaison Program was started in 1985 and is composed of librarians (library liaisons) and selected faculty representatives (library representatives) who work together to advance the goals of the programme. These goals are to facilitate collection development and improve services and communication between the library and the academic units within the university. The library liaisons are the communication link, through the library representatives, between the library administration and the academic unit (see Figure 1). Library liaisonA library liaison is a librarian assigned to a specific academic department as the primary contact person for faculty in issues related to library collections and services in that subject area. The librarian is generally assigned to a specific academic department or departments based on subject expertise, interests or job responsibilities. Once a good liaison link is initiated, the library liaison continues to serve as liaison to the same department over several years to provide continuity and to build better understanding and communication. Library representativeA library representative is a faculty member who serves as the primary contact person from the academic department to the KSU L/MS in library-related issues. The library liaison and the library representative serve as a complementary team promoting better understanding and communication between the KSU L/MS and the academic units of the university. Each academic

Restructuring a Liaison Program in an Academic Library

“…4 According to Cynthia C. Ryans, Raghini S. Suresh, and Wei-Ping Zhang, "a liaison programme is designed to provide a communication link between the library and the academic community to enhance the image of the library." 5 But liaison work goes far beyond that defini tion. Liaison programs provide commu nication to teaching faculty about new li brary services and strengthen the role of the librarian in facilitating access to the wide range of resources that are available.…”

A Method for Evaluating Library Liaison Activities in Small Academic Libraries

“…The results also "served as a planning tool to guide the entire liaison program, as well as to target activities of individual liaison librarians with specific departments" (p. 497). Seven years later, again at Kent State, librarians assessed the liaison program via a survey to library liaisons, library representatives (faculty members in departments beyond the library who act as primary contacts between the library and academic departments), and faculty and academic administrators (Ryans, Suresh, & Zhang, 1995). These efforts assessed the program, not the liaison librarians' performance.…”

Dangerous liaisons?

“…So, for example, in the Guidelines for Liaison Work issued by the Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) of the American Library Association in 1992, liaison work is defined as "the relationship, formal and informal, that librarians (in this instance, librarians with multiple responsibilities) develop with the library's clientele for the specific purpose of seeking input regarding the selection of materials" (RASD, 1992). This emphasis on collection development appears even in an article which embraces the broader definition of liaison work (Suresh et al, 1995, p. 12), although in an accompanying article the same authors do note the missed opportunity for library liaisons to assist faculty and students with research (Ryans et al, 1995). The importance still given to collection development is evident in a recent description of the liaison program at the University of Hong Kong, though other significant duties are identified: "collection building; research consultation; instruction on subject-specific library resources; integrating library materials into teaching and learning resources; promoting library services; and fostering closer collection with faculty" (Chan, 2005, p. 105).…”