Tradition + Evolution: Providing Scaffolding for Librarians in a Time of Change

Abstract

Changing technology, evolving research methods and requirements, shifting expectations in teaching and learning, and the ongoing transformation of the scholarly communication landscape have all given libraries more opportunities than ever to participate in the full research life cycle, including areas previously considered outside their scope. As a result, libraries have been seeking ways to evolve the liaison role and its influences on collections, services, and the identity of both libraries and librarians. Some changes have been more fluid while others have been more prescriptive. Some roles have shifted in direct response to a specific need, for example, supporting research data management and funding compliance. In other cases, anticipated needs such as lab‐ integrated support and grant collaboration are driving the shift. In all cases, libraries are grappling with how best to position their liaisons for success. In this interactive Lively Lunch session, facilitators Mira Waller, Hilary Davis, and Scott Warren provided a brief overview of what is happening in their libraries and posed questions to guide a focused discussion around the changing roles and duties of liaison librarianship. Participants shared lessons learned while gleaning best practices regarding the ways in which changing roles and new paths have simultaneously opened opportunities and posed sticky challenges. Lively Lunch Discussion Introduction and Overview Waller began the Lively Lunch by introducing the facilitators of the session and asking participants to actively engage in a dialogue, so that the session would be truly interactive. Next, Waller noted that many, if not all of the audience were in the room because they were a part of, in charge of, interested in, and/or affected by the ongoing changing nature of liaison or subject specialist librarians; and that liaison roles are evolving to try to meet the shifting needs of patrons around research, teaching, and learning. Like many libraries, North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries and Syracuse University (SU) Libraries have been exploring ways to evolve the subject/liaison librarian role to best meet new needs, while continuing to meet necessary traditional needs by a combination of leveraging technology, realigning priorities, providing training in new skills, and reimagining positions. Waller shared that NCSU Libraries has been shifting from a support model to actively engaging and collaborating with scholars throughout the academic and research life cycle. At the same time NCSU Libraries has tried to allow for experimental approaches and organizational flex by providing opportunities and resources to pilot new services, as well as encouraging staff to take risks. Functional roles have been established and separated from traditional liaison roles, for example, a new Data & Visualization Services Department was launched; but the NCSU Libraries has also allowed for traditional liaison roles that include some functional responsibilities—such as a new position titled Research Librarian for Life Sciences & Research Metrics. NCSU Libraries has also been engaging in new and shifting partnerships with campus stakeholders such as the Office of Faculty Development and the Office of Research and Innovation. Waller also shared that the NCSU Libraries recently participated in the Association for Research Librarians Liaison Institute, along with other Triangle Research Libraries Network colleagues (UNC‐ CH, NCCU, Duke, NCSU). By the end of the institute, it became clear how much each of the institutions had already accomplished, and how much each one still had to do, as well as the perspective that even though we may share many similarities, each of our institutions has approached shifting liaison roles very differently.