182 · Representative Documents: Program Evolution
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
KU Libraries’ Consultant Model |Appendix A
12
principal area of responsibility. The anticipated timeline for major components of this transition
include:
By July 2014, Research &Learning and Content Development personnel will transition away
from primary performance of reference desk duties, except where specific expertise is
requested
By July 2015, Content Development personnel will transition away from primary performance of
instruction duties, except where specific expertise is requested
By July 2015, Research &Learning personnel will transition away from content development
duties
Therefore, with this redistribution of work, the consultant model will focus on the performance of
consistently effective and relevant collaboration, outreach, and relationship building with KU faculty and
students. The consultant model is also highly reliant upon coordinated application of expertise from
across the Libraries’ divisions and throughout all levels of the organization.
How will the transition to the consultant model proceed?
In the immediate future, those who performed actively in the former liaison role should:
Continue to field questions from KU departments, while also referring to appropriate Libraries
personnel (e.g., Content Development Office of Scholarly Communication &Copyright etc.)
Faculty and staff within Content Development and Research &Learning will facilitate the
transition process by consulting with John Stratton (Center of Undergraduate Initiatives) or Scott
McEathron (Center for Graduate Initiatives) on instruction requests in order to determine the
best route of instruction.
In the future, general campus announcements will be coordinated through the Centers, in consultation
with the Office of Communications &Advancement. The Centers will solicit Libraries’ departments for
content. Libraries staff can continue to contact KU departments and schools with questions and
announcements specific to their areas.
Because faculty and professionals in Content Development and Research &Learning eventually will not
be scheduled for the Anschutz and Watson reference desks, for those questions requiring in-depth
assistance, subject and service specialists will be contacted. A referral list with contact information will
be developed and maintained.
With the Libraries’ web site currently being updated through a content management system, the
Libraries will place a prominent emphasis on the “Ask a Librarian” feature. This service will assist in
referring to the appropriate staff member. Training and assessment will be key in ensuring appropriate
referrals.
Additionally, KU Libraries leadership will be in conversation with the Assessment Team of the Strategy &
Innovation Division to discern the best process for assessing the efficacy of this new model overall and
guiding alterations as necessary based upon assessment findings.
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