The Subject Librarian: Role and Responsibilities

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

The subject librarian is primarily concerned with resource development and liaison work with and for his or her assigned academic department(s). The subject librarian'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 subject librarian 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 subject librarian should expect new and altered responsibilities arising from changing technologies and developing concepts of academic library service. The subject librarian 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 librarian are outlined below:

1. Resource Development

To assist in the planning and development of the collection, the subject librarian 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 subject librarian 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 subject librarian 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 subject librarian 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 subject librarian shall regularly review materials received on standing order, blanket order, or subscription.

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

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

The subject librarian 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 subject librarian develop a good working knowledge of library activities, services, and routines, and of the responsibilities of key staff members and other subject subject librarians. Close relationships with subject librarians in related subject areas are imperative for the development of interdisciplinary cooperation.

The subject librarian 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 subject librarian should be able to refer the matter to the appropriate staff member(s).

The subject librarian 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 subject librarian will also advise the Head of Archives and Special Collections of special resources and collecting opportunities to serve the academic area.

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

3. Subject Knowledge

It is essential that the subject librarian 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 subject librarian should monitor and is encouraged to actively participate in regional, national, and international discussions and organizations of Subject Librarians in the subject area.

4. Orientation and Collection Utilization

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

5. Subject Librarians Council

The subject librarian is a member of the Libraries' Subject Librarians 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 Subject Librarian Council By-Laws.

6. Annual Report

In the middle of January, as a part of the annual performance appraisal, each subject librarian shall submit to the Dean of University Libraries, via the Collection Development Coordinator, an annual report summarizing his or her activities as a subject librarian. Each subject librarian 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 librarian may also be requested from the academic department(s) by the Dean at that time.

About Subject Librarians

All full-time contract positions requiring the MLS or an equivalent degree will include subject librarian responsibilities. Job descriptions for these positions will include a statement that subject librarians' 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 Subject Librarians' 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 subject librarian may be asked to do so by the Dean of the Libraries. Staff members in classified positions may serve as assistant subject librarians with the agreement of their department heads.