SPEC Kit 349: Evolution of Library Liaisons · 137
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Core Competencies: Department of Collections, Research, and Instruction
Page |3
Liaison Core Competencies
Liaison work is the process by which librarians involve the library's clientele in the assessment,
evaluation, and augmentation of collections and library services. It includes identifying user needs,
evaluating and promoting existing collections and services, and locating resources that will enhance
these offerings. Liaison work enables the library to communicate its collection policies and services
to its clientele while enabling the constituency to communicate its needs and preferences to the
library staff and governing body. Liaison work promotes the library’s strategic goals and enhances its
public relations.1
Core competency skills for liaison and outreach work were adopted and modified from Shreeves’s
“Iowa Framework for Liaisons/Subject Librarians.”
Liaison Competency 1: Actively engages with faculty, students, and staff in assigned areas,
developing strong working relationships.
In practice:
Communicates on a regular basis with the appropriate constituencies for librarian’s
collection development areas.
Communication can be directly with faculty, but also with student groups and support
staff (such as the department administrator).
Communication can take place via email, in-person, at department meetings, etc., and
can be a combination of formal and informal.
Communication should minimally include beginning of the semester introductions and
end-of semester check-ins, as well as periodic promotion of services and collections
(such as databases, website features, and acquisitions).
Liaison Competency 2: Promotes current services and collections.
In practice:
Inform faculty, students, and appropriate staff when new resources are acquired or
services are offered, asking for feed-back to improve services and collections.
Under-utilized resources and services can also be promoted to increase visibility and use.
Communicates library policies and procedures to faculty and students.
Provides information on library initiatives such as data services, copyright, scholarly
communication practices, and Digital Georgetown, as appropriate.
Liaison Competency 3: Analyzes trends in departmental teaching and research programs, stays
abreast of scholarship in the disciplines themselves, and uses this knowledge to respond to
departmental needs.
In practice:
Works with appropriate department point people to monitor course offerings and
department curricula, noting shifts in academic and pedagogic practices.
1 Definition of liaison work adapted from RUSA
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Core Competencies: Department of Collections, Research, and Instruction
Page |3
Liaison Core Competencies
Liaison work is the process by which librarians involve the library's clientele in the assessment,
evaluation, and augmentation of collections and library services. It includes identifying user needs,
evaluating and promoting existing collections and services, and locating resources that will enhance
these offerings. Liaison work enables the library to communicate its collection policies and services
to its clientele while enabling the constituency to communicate its needs and preferences to the
library staff and governing body. Liaison work promotes the library’s strategic goals and enhances its
public relations.1
Core competency skills for liaison and outreach work were adopted and modified from Shreeves’s
“Iowa Framework for Liaisons/Subject Librarians.”
Liaison Competency 1: Actively engages with faculty, students, and staff in assigned areas,
developing strong working relationships.
In practice:
Communicates on a regular basis with the appropriate constituencies for librarian’s
collection development areas.
Communication can be directly with faculty, but also with student groups and support
staff (such as the department administrator).
Communication can take place via email, in-person, at department meetings, etc., and
can be a combination of formal and informal.
Communication should minimally include beginning of the semester introductions and
end-of semester check-ins, as well as periodic promotion of services and collections
(such as databases, website features, and acquisitions).
Liaison Competency 2: Promotes current services and collections.
In practice:
Inform faculty, students, and appropriate staff when new resources are acquired or
services are offered, asking for feed-back to improve services and collections.
Under-utilized resources and services can also be promoted to increase visibility and use.
Communicates library policies and procedures to faculty and students.
Provides information on library initiatives such as data services, copyright, scholarly
communication practices, and Digital Georgetown, as appropriate.
Liaison Competency 3: Analyzes trends in departmental teaching and research programs, stays
abreast of scholarship in the disciplines themselves, and uses this knowledge to respond to
departmental needs.
In practice:
Works with appropriate department point people to monitor course offerings and
department curricula, noting shifts in academic and pedagogic practices.
1 Definition of liaison work adapted from RUSA
