The Subject Bibliographer: Role and Responsibilities

A separate page contains a roster of subject bibliographers and faculty library reps.

The subject bibliographer is primarily concerned with resource development and liaison work with and for his or her assigned academic department(s). The bibliographer's role also encompasses library orientation of students and faculty and assisting library patrons in utilizing the library's collections and services to the fullest extent possible. The bibliographer is most effective when providing service based upon an increasing knowledge of the subject area. Since the library and information field continues to change, the bibliographer should expect new and altered responsibilities arising from changing technologies and developing concepts of academic library service. The bibliographer's duties are an integral part of his or her work assignment for which he or she is accountable to the Dean of University Libraries.

The current responsibilities of the subject bibliographer are outlined below:

1. Resource Development

To assist in the planning and development of the collection, the bibliographer needs to be familiar with:

1. the curriculum -- present and planned;
2. the research interests of faculty and graduate students;
3. the current collection, including books, electronic resources, periodicals, microforms, non-print, government documents, AV, and archival and other special collections materials which might be applicable to the subject area;
4. current subscriptions and standing orders, and
5. resource materials available outside the Library, with special attention to OhioLINK.

The bibliographer shall establish a close working relationship with the faculty of his or her academic department(s) and shall establish a plan for resources development in cooperation with the department(s). Once such a plan is established in general or in detail, the bibliographer shall assist the department(s) in determining priorities, advise faculty about available resources, and initiate orders for materials basic to the plan for resource development.

The bibliographer shall be responsible for collection maintenance -- inventorying, weeding, replacing or reformatting materials which are lost or in poor physical condition, and for recommending materials for retention in Annex.

The bibliographer shall regularly review materials received on standing order, blanket order, or subscription.

The bibliographer shall advise on the acceptability of gifts for the collection and to make recommendations concerning their disposition.

The bibliographer shall represent Ohio University in OhioLINK subject grouping(s) related to his or her bibliographic area.

The bibliographer must be constantly aware of alternative sources of material or information both within and outside the Library. Resource materials available through interlibrary loan or for use at other institutions must be a major consideration in any resource development plan.

2. Liaison Activities

To be effective in liaison activities with an academic department, it is essential that the bibliographer develop a good working knowledge of library activities, services, and routines, and of the responsibilities of key staff members and other subject bibliographers. Close relationships with bibliographers in related subject areas are imperative for the development of interdisciplinary cooperation.

The bibliographer shall serve his or her academic department(s) as a clearinghouse for library-related questions and problems. If unable to provide the necessary information or solution, the bibliographer should be able to refer the matter to the appropriate staff member(s).

The Bibliographer will keep informed and keep his/her academic area informed of resources and additions to the Libraries' Special Collections of interest to the academic area. The Bibliographer will also advise the Head of Archives and Special Collections of special resources and collecting opportunities to serve the academic area.

The bibliographer is expected to monitor all incoming order requests. This activity is essential in order to determine shifts in curriculum emphasis, research interests, and the overall implementation of the resource development plan.

The bibliographer shall oversee departmental dollar expenditure and be able to explain budgeting and accounting procedures if required.

3. Subject Knowledge

It is essential that the bibliographer be familiar with the basic resources of the subject field(s) for which he or she is responsible. Refining this knowledge shall be a continuing endeavor. In cultivating and maintaining subject knowledge, the bibliographer should monitor and is encouraged to actively participate in regional, national, and international discussions and organizations of bibliographers in the subject area.

4. Orientation and Collection Utilization

The bibliographer shall be ready to advise faculty and students concerning alternative sources of information in our collection when a specific title or source is unavailable. Of special concern are materials which cannot be located through the ALICE online public access catalog and the uncataloged microforms, government documents, archives, special collections, maps, etc.

The bibliographer shall also be aware of resources available at other institutions and be familiar with the policies and procedures involved in accessing these sources.

5. Bibliographers Council

The bibliographer is a member of the Libraries' Bibliographer's Council that develops and recommends overall policies to the Dean covering matters related to developing, managing, and delivering information resources and the usage thereof. A separate page contains the Bibliographers' Council By-Laws.

6. Annual Report

In the middle of January, as a part of the annual performance appraisal, each bibliographer shall submit to the Dean of University Libraries, via the Collection Development Coordinator, an annual report summarizing his or her activities as a bibliographer. Each bibliographer also should attach a copy of his/her report to his/her accomplishments submitted as part of the evaluation review. Additional information or evaluation on the performance of the subject bibliographer may also be requested from the academic department(s) by the Dean at that time.

About Subject Bibliographers

All full-time contract positions requiring the MLS or an equivalent degree will include bibliographer responsibilities. Job descriptions for these positions will include a statement that bibliographers' duties will comprise at least ten to twenty percent of overall responsibilities. Applicants for these positions will be scheduled to meet with the Collection Development Coordinator during the interview process.

The Bibliographers' Steering Committee will review job descriptions for all contract positions requiring the MLS or equivalent to determine whether a particular subject expertise should be included as a "preferred" statement in those descriptions. In general, positions requiring the MLS or equivalent should include a statement about a preference for a second language.

Employees in contract positions not requiring the MLS (or equivalent) or less than full-time who have special skills or knowledge and who are interested in serving as bibliographers may be asked to do so by the Dean of the Libraries. Staff members in classified positions may serve as assistant bibliographers with the agreement of their department heads.