Bargains of the Century: Part‐Time Librarians

Abstract

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Contingent appointments in academic libraries: management challenges and opportunities

“…Over 30 years ago, Brustman and Via (1988), who conducted one of the early surveys to assess academic libraries’ reliance on part-time librarians, noted that “No research fully describes the past or present situation of the part-time academic librarian” (p. 87). The same dismay at how few studies examined the topic in depth was echoed by other researchers who attempted to cast light on the contingent academic librarians’ experience (Chervinko, 1986; Gover, 1994; Hogue and Sisson, 1994; Pontau and Rothschild, 1986; Wilkinson, 2015, 2016).…”

“…The range of tasks and duties they perform is extensive and aligned with their educational and professional backgrounds. Hogue and Sisson (1994) found that most of their survey respondents had an MLIS degree and over ten years of professional experience. The areas most frequently assigned to contingent librarians include reference and related public services roles (Brustman and Via, 1988; Pontau, 1989; Hogue and Sisson, 1994; Mayo and Whitehurst, 2012).…”

“…Hogue and Sisson (1994) found that most of their survey respondents had an MLIS degree and over ten years of professional experience. The areas most frequently assigned to contingent librarians include reference and related public services roles (Brustman and Via, 1988; Pontau, 1989; Hogue and Sisson, 1994; Mayo and Whitehurst, 2012). Contingent librarians also work in acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, collection development and archives (Brustman and Via, 1988; Chervinko, 1986; Mayo and Whitehurst, 2012; Pontau, 1989).…”

Temporary librarians in academe: current use, future considerations

“…Very few supervised other employees RSR 40,3 and most worked approximately 20 hours per week. The respondents echoed Brustman and Via's (1988) conclusions about permanent faculty members perceiving temporary faculty as uncommitted and unable to assume additional workloads or responsibility, but the respondents conveyed different conclusions stating temporary librarians were very loyal to their employers and desired opportunities for professional development and advancement (Hogue and Sisson, 1993).…”

“…Conversely, Hogue and Sisson (1993) conducted a survey of part-time librarians to determine views of their "employment circumstances" as they are often hired when budgets are reduced but quality service is still expected. Announcements regarding the survey were published in six professional journals asking part-time librarians to participate; the authors received 167 valid surveys to analyze.…”