Abstract
This paper considers a framework that encourages librarian boundary spanning roles outside of the library organization. Libraries, inherently interdisciplinary, have changed over the past decade due to changes in student populations, budgets constraints, and higher education policy. COVID-19 accelerated these changes that resulted in a shift of priorities to open up beyond the library walls. By building relationships with faculty and building bridges with campus research and student organizations, libraries could provide an integrated interdisciplinary third space outside of the traditional disciplinary-siloed organizations (Whitchurch, 2013). Librarians positioned in a liminal university space, partner with and support students and faculty across all disciplines and structures. They provide new functional roles with capacity for research methodology support, instructional design, and online teaching and learning. More recently, librarians are also called on for GenAI research expertise. This wide range of librarian skillsets, as well as organizational and institutional knowledge, can bridge and enhance teaching and research projects. Anchored in an open and shared value system, librarian leaders are integrated into teaching projects, graduate dissertation projects, and off-campus outreach for digital and information literacy skill building for incoming students. This study presents a case for a framework that could be adapted by other universities and colleges. Grounded in the research and drawing on over 25 years of higher education experience, we discuss challenges and opportunities for building bridges between libraries and disciplinary faculty and students. This includes resources to encourage reflection about other institutional context and culture.
Presenters
Donna ZiegenfussLibrarian, Teaching, Research and Outreach, University of Utah, Utah, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
BOUNDARY SPANNING, LIBRARIANS, NEW ROLES, HIGHER EDUCATION, BUILDING BRIDGES
