ARL Releases New Report in Transforming Liaison Roles in Research Libraries Series

From the Association of Research Libraries:

ARL today released Transforming Liaison Roles in Research Libraries, the third report in the New Roles for New Times series. This series highlights the transformation of the library workforce to address new challenges for research libraries in serving 21st-century students, educators, schools, and researchers.
The new report, written by Janice M. Jaguszewski from University of Minnesota Libraries and Karen Williams from University of Arizona Libraries, presents findings from interviews and other research into current trends in liaison librarianship, surfacing several challenges to the established, overarching liaison structure.
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In all, the report identifies six specific trends in the development of new roles for library liaisons based on focusing on what users do rather than on what librarians do. The authors note that by understanding the changing needs and practices of scholars and students, librarians can help shape future directions for the library and advance the library’s mission within the larger institution. In one example, the report’s appendix includes a video interview with Jonathan Koffel, a University of Minnesota health sciences librarian who initiated a partnership with medical faculty to embed information resources in radiology reports.

Direct to Full Text Report (18 pages; PDF)

Coming Soon

Jaguszewski and Williams will present their findings in a free webcast on Friday, September 27, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. eastern, followed by a panel of reactors from the research library community. Register for the webcast through the ARL website.

 Other Reports in the New Roles for New Times Series

• Research Library Services for Graduate Students (December 2012)

• Digital Curation for Preservation (March 2011)

See Also: Articles by Janice Jaguszewski (via U. of Minnesota Digital Conservancy) 
See Also: Karen Williams Appointed Dean of the University Libraries (via U. of Arizona Libraries)

Filed under: Academic Libraries, Associations and Organizations, Interviews, Jobs, Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Preservation, Reports