SPEC Kit 344: Talent Management · 37
“Significant change” in functional specialist positions reflects the creation of new positions more than changes made to
previously existing positions.
Subject specialist positions and liaison positions are one and the same.
We have no liaison positions.
We opened a new library with a lot of advanced technology that has required our IT staff to move into new areas to
support large scale visualization and other advanced media. Subject/liaison positions are currently under review with
significant changes expected in the near term.
18. Within your library are support staff (e.g., paraprofessionals, library assistants, etc.) taking on
responsibilities that were once considered professional librarian responsibilities (e.g., reference,
cataloging, etc.)? N=50
Yes 44 88%
No 6 12%
If yes, please briefly describe the activities. N=34
Bibliographic assistants in cataloging and information delivery (reference &instruction)
Cataloging and reference, acquisitions
Cataloging support, department management, project management
Civil service staff have taken on the day-to-day cataloging operations and some original cataloging.
Digital resource management, original cataloging, reference
Information desk, pre-cataloging, indexing, data management, quality assurance
In public services, we have moved away from having reference librarians at service desks and have developed “service
manager” roles for our library technicians. Acquisitions and cataloging departments were merged recently, requiring
significant cross training of support staff with a growing focus on managing electronic resources. Library technicians
have long been performing original cataloging in our organization.
Increased responsibilities on public service desks are one example.
Instruction and content development, LibGuides, library orientations, reference
Library assistants provide service at the information desk, for copy cataloging, and some electronic
resource management.
Library support staff are staffing a help desk, rather than a reference desk. Classified staff are teaching lower level
classes. Library support staff are performing some duties of technical services librarians.
Management of day-to-day operations of libraries and other units, include supervision of other support staff
reference, cataloging.
More reference work, both in-person and virtual. Some more advanced technical services, electronic resources.
Mostly in cataloging and acquisitions, somewhat at our reference desk
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