Academic Reference: LIS Education and New Roles for Librarians?

Panelists: Janet Fransen, Jane LIttlefield, Susan Shoemaker, Joyce Yukawa
Venue: St. Catherine University Library Room 128, 1:30-3:00 PM
Sponsored by Cooperating Libraries in Consortium (CLIC)

Introduction

I think this will be largely an open forum discussion, but to prime the pump as part of the panel, I'd like to briefly share information about my teaching of LIS 704 - Reference & Online Services, review some skills identified through a look at recent reference job descriptions and discuss some changes I plan to make in my approach to teaching reference and information services, which I think of at this point as "humans and technology, hand-in-hand."

Summary of skills needed by academic reference librarians at different levels

  1. Reference interviewing skills, face-to-face and virtual
  2. Subject knowledge
  3. Knowledge of print and electronic resources (databases, internet resources)
  4. Collection development
  5. Resource evaluation
  6. Liaison and collaboration
  7. Teaching, instructional design, instructional technology
  8. Website design
  9. Technology and computing skills, ranging from productivity software (e.g., Word, Excel), course management software,to software programming and database design
  10. Knowledge of emerging technologies
  11. Outreach, marketing, advocacy
  12. Project management
  13. Research and evaluation of library services
  14. Supervisory
  15. Policy
  16. Budgeting
  17. Organizational theory
  18. Leadership
  19. Management
  20. How a university operates
  21. And more ...

Notes for course revision

  • Human dimensions and technology dimensions go "hand in hand"
  • Core values of reference and information services: service and access to all, literacy and learning, privacy, intellectual freedom, intellectual property
  • Course focus: meeting community needs
  • System dimensions of information work
    • Information control and access
    • Information infrastructure
    • Search strategies - databases, search engines
  • Resource dimensions of information work
    • Sources in print, electronic databases, web
    • Managing reference collections
    • Project management
  • Human dimensions of information work
    • Models of information behavior
    • Analyzing information needs of patrons/users/clients
    • F2F reference, digital reference
    • Information literacy instruction (within the library, within the classroom, across the curriculum as blended librarianship)
    • Advocacy, outreach
    • Information commons

A few recent job descriptions

Reference and Instruction Librarian

The George Washington University announces a search for a Reference and Instruction Librarian, Eckles Library, Mount Vernon Campus. Eckles Library seeks a dynamic, creative librarian to develop new initiatives in reference, instruction and outreach. The position provides reference services and implements emerging technologies for end user services. The position also provides instruction for students in the first year component of the University Writing Program and to academic departments and applies principles of assessment to instruction activities. The librarian also interacts with student groups, faculty, and academic departments to identify needs and to promote, enhance and evaluate services.

The Eckles Library, a branch of GW's Gelman Library System (GLS), is a full-service academic facility, serving as a hub for academic experiences on the Mount Vernon campus, a predominantly freshman environment. The campus is home to the flagship Women's Leadership Program and the Interior Design Program; additional areas of academic strengths are comparative politics, art, interior design, and women's history and contemporary issues. Service, instruction and outreach are central to the mission of the Library. Eckles Library participates in the integrated information literacy program and virtual reference services of the GLS.

Business Reference Librarian and Assistant Professor

The University of Mississippi Libraries seeks a creative and dynamic Business Librarian to join a reference department delivering user-centered services to the School of Business Administration as well as to the general university community. Under the direction of the Head of Information, Outreach and Delivery Services, the successful candidate will:

  • Provide instruction, including web content and online tutorials; provide liaison and collection development services for the School of Business Administration,
  • Develop personalized reference / instruction services to the School of Business Administration,
  • Provide in-person and virtual reference services at a general reference desk, some evening hours required,
  • Participate in a general library instruction program supporting composition and Freshmen Seminar courses,
  • Join in library outreach and other innovative initiatives.
Qualifications:
  • ALA accredited master's degree by date of employment;
  • experience with or course-work on business reference sources,
  • excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills;
  • knowledge of or course-work in reference methods and/or resources, strong knowledge of emerging technologies, and
  • the ability to apply these technologies to a diverse range of library applications.

The position is a 12-month, tenure-track faculty appointment reporting to the Head of Information, Outreach, and Delivery Services, position available June 1, 2008. Minimum annual salary is $38,000.

Reference Librarian

Position Vacancy Announcement, Montana State University Libraries, Reference and Assistant Professor, tenure track, 12 month position; TIAA-CREFF; health and life insurance, 21 days annual leave.

Successful candidates will provide reference services, library instruction, and research consultations in a team environment. They will participate in collection development and serve as liaisons to academic departments in the sciences, engineering, and other fields. In addition to providing online and traditional reference services, they will have the opportunity to teach credit classes. Occasional weekend and evening shifts will be required, as will some other ad hoc assignments. Library faculty work with students, faculty, staff, and the general public and actively participate in library and university committees while meeting research and service expectations for promotion and tenure.

Qualifications: Required:

  • master's degree from an ALA accredited institution by start date
  • evidence of a broad knowledge of print and electronic reference resources
  • evidence of a commitment to information literacy and library instruction

Preferred:

  • reference experience in an academic library
  • teaching experience
  • familiarity with science and engineering resources and research needs
  • a second graduate degree

The successful candidate will:

  • have excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
  • work well independently and collaboratively with colleagues, faculty and staff in a team environment
  • exhibit creativity, enthusiasm, flexibility, critical thinking, and initiative
  • be interested in exploring emerging technologies to advance and improve reference services
  • show potential for scholarly and professional achievement as a member of the university's tenure track faculty

Information Literacy Outreach Librarian

Position purpose: Loras College, Academic Resource Center, Non-Tenure Track Faculty/Exempt. Under general supervision of the Library Director, leads and participates in the design, delivery, and assessment of instruction services and coordinates the teaching activities of the library; provides leadership in the marketing and promotion of library services and resources; provides information desk service; along with some collection development duties.

Liaison Librarian for the Life and Health Sciences

Kent State University Libraries and Media Services invites applications for the position of liaison librarian for the life and health sciences. The position serves the specialized information needs of students and faculty in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Speech Pathology and Audiology, and the College of Nursing. Additionally, it contributes in implementing core objectives, such as: providing direct user assistance and advisory services; preparing and presenting instructional services to further the development of information literacy competencies; participating in the management of the Libraries' print and electronic collections, and promoting library user services. The position provides user-centered reference service through daily, evening, and weekend desk hours, office hours, chat, and in response to individual inquiries.

Required Qualifications:

  • MLS from an ALA-accredited program.
  • Significant reference experience in an academic library.
  • Significant library instruction experience.
  • Demonstrated commitment to public service.
  • Thorough knowledge of information resources in the life and health sciences.
  • Familiarity with a broad range of electronic resources, including research databases and Internet resources.
  • Ability and interest in fulfilling requirements of job performance, scholarship, and service to meet tenure and promotion requirements.
  • Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • Flexibility and initiative.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Second master's degree in a field related to the life or health sciences.
  • Knowledge of current issues and trends in the life and health sciences.
  • Classroom teaching experience.
  • Collection development experience.
  • Experience with instructional technology and Web development.
  • Evidence of research or professional achievement.
  • Experience assessing library services.
  • Experience with library marketing and promotion.
  • Experience in goal setting, development, and implementation of services.

References