SPEC Kit 349: Evolution of Library Liaisons · 29
Liaisons are positioned primarily in the reference centers, institute libraries, and special collections, though some are
located in service units such as Data Service.
Liaisons are situated within library units, often reporting to a unit head within the library. Liaisons take on one (or
often more than one) subject area. We have also been experimenting with liaisons for other campus entities outside of
academic departments (e.g., liaisons to the Office of Residential Life, First Year Experience, Undergraduate Research
Centers, etc.)
Liaisons are tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty members.
Liaisons comprise one department and report to the Head of Research, Instruction &Outreach who reports to the
Associate Dean for Outreach and Information Services.
Liaisons report indirectly through the Associate University Librarian, Research and Learning Services. Twelve of the
liaisons report through four branch heads (who report to the AUL) and six liaisons report through the Head, Learner
Support and Engagement Services (who reports to the AUL).
Liaisons report to department heads and directors of school and departmental units.
Liaisons report to divisional or department directors, which in turn report to the executive committee (UL and AULS).
Liaisons report to unit heads. While most liaisons have liaison work as their primary responsibility, some have a liaison
role that is secondary to their primary role in other areas, for example, cataloguing, discovery, etc.
Librarians that serve as outreach, education, and/or selection for a subject discipline are liaisons.
Library faculty under disciplinary units
Most are within the same program area: Research Services. However, there are a few liaisons at regional campuses
that have graduate programs. There are also a few liaisons who have been given smaller assignments based upon their
expertise and interest.
Most of the liaisons are part of the Academic Liaison division, and are in one of three departments within that division:
Research Services (70%), GIS and Data (10%), DC Regional Libraries (10%). The other 10% are part of Special
Collections, which is part of the Scholarly Resources division.
Most liaison librarians hold primary responsibilities in other areas, with liaison as an add-on. Liaison librarians are
coordinated by the Head, Faculty and Student Engagement, who ensures coverage of required areas.
Most liaison librarians report to department heads who report to the Associate University Librarian for Public Services.
Most subject librarian/liaisons are primary reports in the collections division, and report to one of five subject area
coordinators (humanities, social sciences, sciences, health sciences, area studies) who report to an associate director.
Liaisons with primary assignments in other areas typically have a secondary reporting relationship with one of
the coordinators.
One to three levels down from the university librarian
Our subject liaisons are in public services.
Previously, they were all throughout the seven libraries, but because of the closure of one library and the shrinking/
re-positioning of librarians, liaisons are now primarily in the Research Assistance &Instruction Department
(formally Reference).
Primarily in the Collections, Research &Instruction department, but some liaisons are positioned in other departments.
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