Evolution of Library Liaisons, SPEC Kit 349

Miller, Rebecca K.; Pressley, Lauren

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SPEC Kit 349: Evolution of Library Liaisons · 19
increasingly important for liaisons to participate in
these conversations and articulate their goals and
ideas for measuring progress or success. In 1992, SPEC
Kit 189 called for library liaisons to “explore non-tra-
ditional and expanded roles” and to act as “contrib-
uting members of research teams and instructional
programs.”7It feels safe to write that this is exactly the
direction in which the library liaison role has evolved,
and that liaisons are now partnering in ways that were
unimaginable twenty-three years ago. At this point
in time, library liaisons have the opportunity and re-
sources to move beyond a “contributing” role in these
partnerships. Data from the current survey provide
strong evidence that liaisons are proactively leading
community conversations and initiatives in the ar-
eas of data management, teaching and learning, and
scholarly communication. We will continue to see the
liaison role shift and evolve, as library liaisons move
from contributing partners to full-fledged leaders in
the education and research enterprise.
Endnotes
1. Kenney, Anne R. Leveraging the Liaison Model:
From Defining 21st Century Research Libraries to
Implementing 21st Century Research Universities.
Ithaka S+R, New York: Ithaka S+R, March 2014.
2. Latta, Gail F. Liaison Services in ARL Libraries.
SPEC Kit 189. Washington, DC: Association of
Research Libraries, November/December 1992.
3. Ibid.
4. Logue, Susan, John Ballestro, Andrea Imre,
and Julie Arendt. Liaison Services. SPEC
Kit 301, Washington, DC: Association
of Research Libraries, October 2007.
5. Ibid.
6. Reference and User Services Association.
“Guidelines for Liaison Work in Managing
Collections and Services.” Accessed
October 29, 2015. http://www.ala.org/rusa/
resources/guidelines/guidelinesliaison
7. Latta, Liaison Services in ARL Libraries.

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SPEC Kit 349: Evolution of Library Liaisons (November 2015) resources

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SPEC Kit 349: Evolution of Library Liaisons · 19
increasingly important for liaisons to participate in
these conversations and articulate their goals and
ideas for measuring progress or success. In 1992, SPEC
Kit 189 called for library liaisons to “explore non-tra-
ditional and expanded roles” and to act as “contrib-
uting members of research teams and instructional
programs.”7It feels safe to write that this is exactly the
direction in which the library liaison role has evolved,
and that liaisons are now partnering in ways that were
unimaginable twenty-three years ago. At this point
in time, library liaisons have the opportunity and re-
sources to move beyond a “contributing” role in these
partnerships. Data from the current survey provide
strong evidence that liaisons are proactively leading
community conversations and initiatives in the ar-
eas of data management, teaching and learning, and
scholarly communication. We will continue to see the
liaison role shift and evolve, as library liaisons move
from contributing partners to full-fledged leaders in
the education and research enterprise.
Endnotes
1. Kenney, Anne R. Leveraging the Liaison Model:
From Defining 21st Century Research Libraries to
Implementing 21st Century Research Universities.
Ithaka S+R, New York: Ithaka S+R, March 2014.
2. Latta, Gail F. Liaison Services in ARL Libraries.
SPEC Kit 189. Washington, DC: Association of
Research Libraries, November/December 1992.
3. Ibid.
4. Logue, Susan, John Ballestro, Andrea Imre,
and Julie Arendt. Liaison Services. SPEC
Kit 301, Washington, DC: Association
of Research Libraries, October 2007.
5. Ibid.
6. Reference and User Services Association.
“Guidelines for Liaison Work in Managing
Collections and Services.” Accessed
October 29, 2015. http://www.ala.org/rusa/
resources/guidelines/guidelinesliaison
7. Latta, Liaison Services in ARL Libraries.

SPEC Kit 349: Evolution of Library Liaisons · 21
SURVEY QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES
The SPEC Survey on the Evolution of Library Liaisons was designed by Rebecca K. Miller, Head of
Library Learning Services at Pennsylvania State University Libraries, and Lauren Pressley, Director of the
University of Washington Tacoma Library and Associate Dean of University Libraries at the University of
Washington. These results are based on 72 responses from 70 of the 124 ARL member libraries (57%) by the
deadline of August 12, 2015. The survey’s introductory text and questions are reproduced below, followed by
the response data and selected comments from the respondents.
As research libraries develop new directions and priorities in response to changing needs of the students, faculty, researchers, and
staff at their institutions, the role of library liaisons continues to shift and evolve. Library liaisons traditionally have helped support
academic departments, faculty, and students through outreach and communication, teaching one-shot instruction sessions, offering
customized research consultations, and participating in disciplinary collection development. However, in her 2014 report Leveraging
the Liaison Model, Anne Kenney writes that many research libraries are beginning “to shift the focus away from the work of
librarians to that of scholars and to develop engagement strategies based on their needs and success indicators” (p. 4). Overall,
Kenney notes that the current liaison model simply does not meet the needs of the twenty-first century university and research
library. While many libraries are developing new strategies for evolving their liaison programs in order to meet new challenges in
research, scholarship, and engagement, there are unanswered questions about how successful, impactful, and effective liaison
programs can be developed and supported.
The purpose of this survey is to gather data about the evolving role of the library liaison and the shifting goals and strategies of
liaison programs at ARL member libraries. In particular, this survey will identify emerging trends and themes in the changes occurring
in the library liaison model and attempt to discover the factors that influence these changes on an institutional level. Because each
institution and its needs are unique, this survey focuses on not only the specific changes occurring in liaison programs, but also the
general conditions that contribute to both the need and support for these changes.
The evolving liaison model is a critical component in ARL member libraries’ ability to meet the broad challenges of today’s research
libraries and take advantage of opportunities to move in new strategic directions. This survey will contribute to library leaders’ ability
to support their surrounding community in new ways by providing data points, examples, and trends that will contribute to the
growth and direction of liaison services.

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SPEC Kit 349: Evolution of Library Liaisons (November 2015) resources

Extracted Text (may have errors)

SPEC Kit 349: Evolution of Library Liaisons · 21
SURVEY QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES
The SPEC Survey on the Evolution of Library Liaisons was designed by Rebecca K. Miller, Head of
Library Learning Services at Pennsylvania State University Libraries, and Lauren Pressley, Director of the
University of Washington Tacoma Library and Associate Dean of University Libraries at the University of
Washington. These results are based on 72 responses from 70 of the 124 ARL member libraries (57%) by the
deadline of August 12, 2015. The survey’s introductory text and questions are reproduced below, followed by
the response data and selected comments from the respondents.
As research libraries develop new directions and priorities in response to changing needs of the students, faculty, researchers, and
staff at their institutions, the role of library liaisons continues to shift and evolve. Library liaisons traditionally have helped support
academic departments, faculty, and students through outreach and communication, teaching one-shot instruction sessions, offering
customized research consultations, and participating in disciplinary collection development. However, in her 2014 report Leveraging
the Liaison Model, Anne Kenney writes that many research libraries are beginning “to shift the focus away from the work of
librarians to that of scholars and to develop engagement strategies based on their needs and success indicators” (p. 4). Overall,
Kenney notes that the current liaison model simply does not meet the needs of the twenty-first century university and research
library. While many libraries are developing new strategies for evolving their liaison programs in order to meet new challenges in
research, scholarship, and engagement, there are unanswered questions about how successful, impactful, and effective liaison
programs can be developed and supported.
The purpose of this survey is to gather data about the evolving role of the library liaison and the shifting goals and strategies of
liaison programs at ARL member libraries. In particular, this survey will identify emerging trends and themes in the changes occurring
in the library liaison model and attempt to discover the factors that influence these changes on an institutional level. Because each
institution and its needs are unique, this survey focuses on not only the specific changes occurring in liaison programs, but also the
general conditions that contribute to both the need and support for these changes.
The evolving liaison model is a critical component in ARL member libraries’ ability to meet the broad challenges of today’s research
libraries and take advantage of opportunities to move in new strategic directions. This survey will contribute to library leaders’ ability
to support their surrounding community in new ways by providing data points, examples, and trends that will contribute to the
growth and direction of liaison services.

Page 9Survey Results click to expand contents

Page 101Representative Documents click to expand contents

Page 103Liaison Services click to expand contents

Page 111Position Descriptions click to expand contents

Page 129Responsibilities, Competencies, Goals click to expand contents

Page 165Program Evolution click to expand contents

Page 199Selected Resources click to expand contents

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