Angiah Davis, Reference Librarian
Robert W. Woodruff Library,
Atlanta University Center

Librarians on Demand

As a Reference Librarian at the Robert W. Woodruff Library (RWWL) at the Atlanta University Center (AUC), I assist users from different backgrounds with various learning styles and academic levels. I support Library 2.0 initiatives by providing online reference assistance, creating electronic subject guide and tutorials. If I could change anything about my current workplace or job responsibilities to meet future needs, I would change service delivery.

The 21st century library is a place where users collaborate to create information and connect remotely. Constructed in 1982, RWWL completed a major renovation in 2010 to create a 21st century learning environment. For sustainability, library services must extend beyond the physical building and be the center of the community by offering various services to meet needs. Librarians on Demand (LOD) is one way to accomplish this notion. With LOD, customers call the library for assistance, and a librarian delivers. Imagine that! A student needs research assistance at 2 pm, and with one call or text, a librarian meets the student in his or her space to provide a consultation.

The 21st century learner is a different type of learner. The 50-minute, one-shot instruction session may be too much information at once. Today's consumer wants information on demand. If there is no need for the information, this creates overload and disinterest. LOD takes the library to the next level of customer service in the 21st century by providing service anytime, anywhere.

Jo Alcock, Evidence-Based Researcher
Kenrick Library,
Birmingham City University (UK)

As an academic librarian and researcher in the UK, I am very aware of the importance of positioning the academic library to meet the needs of our users. As university fees continue to increase, it is likely that expectations will also increase (Times Higher Education, 2011)¹. Students will arrive at university very aware of the cost of their course and have high expectations of the library in terms of resource provision and study support.

One of the areas I hope to see adopted by my current workplace is market orientation (i.e., a core focus on gathering user needs and adapting services/resources to meet them); our current focus is product orientation. Sen (2010)² demonstrated the suitability of market orientation for all libraries, however so far it is not the one that is largely adopted.

In order to truly understand our users and their needs, I would like to see more investment into user research and encouraging library staff to understand the user perspective. One such initiative is Work Like a Patron Day³, where staff use public facilities rather than staff facilities (e.g., public entrance/exit, public interface, public computers).

I would also welcome the academic library going to where users are to increase awareness — both physical spaces (embedded librarians in faculties) and online (via social networks and mobile technologies). Embedded librarianship is a key trend I hope to see develop.

In summary, I hope the library continues to develop around users — with them at the core of everything we do.

¹ http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=414893

² Sen, B (2010) Theory, Research and Practice in library management 8: Market Orientation. Library Management, 31 (4/5), pp. 344–353

³ http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Work_Like_A_Patron Day

Kathleen Lehman, Head Librarian,
Physics Library,
University of Arkansas — Fayetteville, Fayetteville, Ark.

Activities and purchasing funds of university libraries need to reflect a cross-disciplinary approach to research. At the University of Arkansas, our recently dedicated Nanoscale Material Science and Engineering building is a prime example of collaborating departments. Researchers in physics, engineering, biology, and chemistry work together to make this center an exciting opportunity for innovative discovery. Unfortunately, our own library structure does not reflect this type of interdisciplinary group. As the physics librarian, I know “subject librarians” tend to focus on the specific area for which we have been hired rather than work directly with research groups. Even our purchasing funds are largely divided along the lines of traditional departments.

In making changes within our organization to meet the future needs of researchers, I would assign a librarian and funds to each lab or research project. The librarians would have a “caseload” of researching groups which they would support. This would allow researchers to focus on their investigations rather than spending time searching for background information. Librarians would have a more complete understanding of current research projects and be able to more efficiently locate resources and support data management efforts. Other librarians would continue to provide students at every level with high-quality information literacy instruction. By attending the 2012 ALA Midwinter conference, I will meet national and international academic librarians to learn how they support the researchers and students at their campuses, allowing me to return with new ideas for the University of Arkansas.

Kirby McCurtis, Youth Services Librarian
Central Library,
San Diego Public Library

If I could change my current job responsibilities, I would shift from being a Youth Services Librarian in the Children’s Room to being the Outreach Librarian for Youth. Due to retirements and extended leaves, I am currently the only librarian in the Children’s Room and therefore cannot do as much outreach as I would like. However, it is my favorite part of the job. When I go visit shelters and schools, I love hearing “It’s the library lady!” The use of technology would be critical for this position, especially a tablet to allow access to all of the library’s resources. New job responsibilities would include a multilayered approach to outreach:

• Continue literacy-based outreach to traditional venues, such as schools (pre-K through high school), Head Start programs
• Literacy instruction to businesses with a youth focus, and teachers so that each partner agency gets a digital key card that allows access to library databases and online resources
• Bring storytime to alternative high schools (I currently have storytime for teen parents and their children at two different schools, and the impact is positive and meaningful.)
• Partnerships with local prisons, shelters, social workers, and the Health and Human Services agency
• Partnerships with other arts, music, and after-school programs

I truly believe that getting beyond the “library as building” mode of thinking is critical to positioning libraries in the future. Librarians must get out into the community in order to become an essential partner that all people not only seek out but also support.

Liz M. Kirchhoff, Adult Services Librarian
Barrington Area Library,
Barrington, Ill.

If I could change my job in any way, I would strive to become more embedded in my community. In this digital age, people are busy and distracted. By being active participants in our community, we can provide services where our patrons need them most. We’ve already begun this process in a number of ways, but I believe we can take it further.

For example, our library currently hosts e-reader petting zoos in our lobby. I’d love to see us all take that service out to our train station, community groups, bars, coffee shops, and more. People have no idea of the wide variety of service we offer, and this is a terrific way to publicize an important one.

To become more embedded, we need to think of where people need things. Where to people do lots of reading? On the train? Then we need to take a laptop and a few librarians to the train station to provide some quick suggestions for the next thing to read. Our train stations are already equipped with pick-up lockers and book drops. With the addition of some helpful librarians, we’ve practically created a mini branch right out in the community.

We truly are only held back by our imagination and our bravery. To be most helpful for our users, we need to remain focused, responsive, and innovative. Initiatives like these will help us to remain useful and necessary to our users.