Welcome Back! Day Two

Homework Our next challenge to discuss—outreach. Before we meet tomorrow, be ready to share: –A program you would like to reach out to –A faculty member’s class you would like to work with

Homework review Use the whiteboard tools and share: –A program you would like to reach out to –A faculty member’s class you would like to work with –Add—a strategy you think will help you get a foot in the door.

Best practices: outreach The elevator speech “What’s going on in the library?” Response—more than “Idunnonotmuch”

Sparking Interest Contact faculty directly Have a specific proposal in mind Offer your services after a rash of questions Rely on word of mouth Maintain positive interactions and open communication

The Collection Development Connection Liaison program + computers= getting your foot in the door! When you meet the needs of faculty well (collections, electronic resources, hardware) they become more involved as partners.

Becoming embedded Librarians “go native”—are on the ground departmentally and play a direct role in a class or departmental project

Embedded librarians Have a presence in the academic department Begin in departments that are already “library friendly” –experiment and grow Don’t get overloaded! Discover what is most valued by faculty/students in the class/department

Remember… You aren’t going to persuade them all Build strong relationships with a few Build trust/respect Use that contact to gain the notice/interest of others Walk the halls!

Before You Go There… Know the field (resources, journals, reference tools) Be forward, but not aggressive Never assume anything Don’t be shocked (what do you MEAN you don’t know what ERIC is!?!) Be open to new ideas and methods Be sure you REALLY want to do this!

Meeting regularly with faculty… …but as an asset, not “because my director said I should get on the agenda this month” Participate in seminars, meetings, etc. Take a class! Take instruction to the department Team teach—divide and conquer complex material together as a team Hang out over there

Understand collections Seek prodev opportunities in disciplinary areas Participate in scholarly organizations (discipline specific groups/roundtables at ALA) Conduct subject or database specific workshops Share discipline specific trends with your librarian colleagues Work with faculty to create subject guides

Promote and teach about resources Integrate info lit concepts into the discipline Research consultations Information literacy instruction Design tutorials Become “embedded” Develop places and spaces to show off

Creating discipline specific resources Russell’s 5x5x5 rule for pathfinders –5 most important print/reference –5 most important databases –5 most important internet resources

How to be extremely unsuccessful at creating a subject guide

Exercise As a group, we’re going to create a subject guide. Using the 5x5x5 method and the whiteboard, create a subject guide for biology

Assessing your liaison program Formative –Needs assessment/survey for faculty AND liaisons –Effectiveness of liaison training Ongoing and summative –Assess faculty satisfaction Collections Services Instruction

For you, what does success look like? Share on the whiteboard what factors are indicative of a successful liaison program at your library:

What does success look like? Increased collections usage More efficient spending of dedicated funds in the disciplines Faculty and librarians work more closely together –Create/develop instruction, assignments, guides together –Greater dialogue about all library services Increase overall number of instruction sessions Greater presence in the campus community

Success… A librarian or two on every faculty committee Considered peers by other faculty Librarian office hours in departments One-on-one consultation with faculty and students on research Increase in respect for the library on campus

Keys to liaison program sustainability Liaison role must remain fluid and be reviewed routinely Adding skills/knowledge, and keeping up Consistent promotion and marketing—if you start a new books blog… Getting/maintaining buy in/nurturing relationships

This will happen with liaisons Who… Are experts, consultants, facilitators Support faculty in challenging areas—intellectual property/copyright, technology, assignment building Customize information to meet faculty/student needs Are seen outside the library Train not only students, but faculty and staff, to use information resources

Thank You For Attending! Questions/Comments?