Do “Traditional” Technical Services Librarians Still Exist in Academic Libraries?

ALCTS Role of the Professional Librarian in Technical Services Interest Group-ALA AnnualJune 29, 2013

Karen Rogers-Collins ● Rhonda Fowler

This presentation will discuss the evolution of technical services job

titles and responsibilities in academic libraries.

• Examine new job titles – Qualifications – MLS or not

• Evolution of responsibilities• Case Study – Eastern Michigan

University– Past vs. Present

• Next steps

Recent Job Postings Job title: Description: Qualifications:

Digital Applications Librarian Design, deploy new technologies; facilitate discovery tools; evaluate emerging tech.

MLS or terminal degree from computer sci/info sci program

Discovery & Systems Librarian Implement new ILS; deploys digital resource systems (discovery layer)

MLS or equivalent; 1 yr. exp.; strong project management

Electronic Resources Acquisitions Librarian

Negotiation and technical support of licenses electronic resources; usage stats; supervise staff

MLS; 4 yrs. experience

ERM Specialist Licensing; Acquisitions; Usage analysis; update link resolver & knowledgebase

BA/3 yrs. experience

Metadata Librarian Creation maintain metadata all formats; RDA; apply new technologies and approaches; go beyond traditional cataloging

MLS; 2 yrs. experience

Emerging Technology & Systems Librarian

Lead ILL automation; technology project; administer ERMs; stats

MLS; ref & info literacy instruction exp.

Division Dir. of Logistics, Resources, & Distribution Svcs

Leadership over collection and content development and management

MLS; minimum of five years as a manager and supervisor of full time staff in a library or library-related field (e.g., vendor)

Current qualifications and expectations

• Leadership• Work collaboratively with

library and campus faculty, staff, students, administration

• Evaluate, test and deploy emerging technologies, tools and resources

• Set goals. Thinks of the mission of the library as a whole

• Manage and supervise staff

• Extract meaningful data for decision making. Run statistical reports and interpret and develop metrics

• Manage budget• Evaluate workflows• Project management –

success or failure • Implement strategic plans• Participate in task forces and

contractual committees

EMU Case Study

• Technical Services (Yesterday)– Cataloging – Acquisitions– Serials

• Technical Services (Today)– Cataloging/Metadata– Acquisitions– Serials and Electronic Resources– Government Documents– Interlibrary Loan

Ongoing Research-Next Steps

• Are masters level library science programs preparing grads for professional responsibilities? Are students interested in Tech Services as a career?

• Survey question – Have the role of librarians in academic tech service units expanded, grown smaller, or remained the same? What qualifications are being required/desired?

Ongoing Research -Next Steps

• If work or skills we have acquired in library school are being shifted to library support, what is the value of the MLS?

Questions?Karen Rogers-Collins

Electronic Resources and Serials Librariankrogersc@emich.edu

734-487-2586

Rhonda FowlerGovernment Documents and Public Services

Librarianrfowler@emich.edu

734-487-2587