2014 Charleston Library Conference

Academic library liaison models - where librarians assume a variety of responsibilities beyond providing standard reference and research help - have become common in all types of higher education institutions. Subject liaisons frequently add collection development to their list of duties undertaken in addition to discipline-specific research assistance. These collection responsibilities require librarians to develop not only a vision based on the philosophical aspects of collection building, but also an understanding of nitty-gritty technical aspects related to selecting and acquiring resources. New liaisons may be familiar from coursework or through professional experience with philosophical aspects of collections; however, the technical side of collection development and acquisitions is often completely new territory and can result in learn-as-you-go training.

In this session, a science liaison and technical services department head will discuss the importance of liaisons developing an understanding of technical services processes. We’ll discuss why liaisons’ knowledge of these technical areas and procedures benefits both liaisons and their technical services colleagues, and we will provide a framework for creating technical services training specifically intended for liaisons. This framework will go beyond building familiarity with collection development policies (still important!) and “submit orders here” to get at the what-is-done and why-it-matters-to-liaisons aspects of acquisitions and collection development. New liaisons will leave the session with a list of practical things to know and questions to ask as they begin collection development responsibilities. Audience participation in building a “I wish they/I knew” statement list for new liaisons as it relates to technical services will be solicited.