Liaising in the 21st Century: The Shifting Role of the Education Librarian

Abstract

This paper will examine the findings of a survey on the job roles and responsibilities of Education librarians (academic librarians with liaison responsibilities for the field of Education). Existing literature on Education librarianship has focused on particular facets of the job role, including the unique instructional needs of Education students and specific instruction and outreach initiatives. However, the literature lacks a comprehensive picture of the full spectrum of contemporary Education librarianship. This article provides a snapshot of the diverse educational backgrounds and varied responsibilities of Education librarians related to instruction and instructional design, reference, embedded librarianship, outreach, collaboration, and collection development.

Exploring the Uncharted: Lived Experiences of Research Commons Librarians

“…The work of research libraries in the UK (Revez 2018) shed light on librarians' adaptation to emerging challenges, underlining the dynamic nature of their profession. However, dissenting views exist, with Donaldson et al (2022) expressing concerns about role transition. Manju and Partap (2022) and Asher (2017) accentuate librarians' multifaceted academic involvement, showcasing their evolving roles.…”

“…Vassilakaki and Moniarou-Papaconstantinou (2015) provide a systematic review emphasising adaptability and innovation in emerging roles. Mandal and Dasgupta (2019) and Donaldson et al (2022) discuss changes in academic librarian roles, while Kanchan (2013) underscores the impact of ICT on librarian responsibilities.…”

“…The RC is framed within the broader context of university goals, such as increasing research output, improving postgraduates' success, and meeting the needs of a diverse research community (Donaldson et al 2022;Hart and Kleinveldt 2011).…”