In Defense of Old Fashioned Methods: Collaboration in Subject Guides

In Defense of Old Fashioned Methods: Collaboration in

Subject GuidesKa-Neng Au &

Roberta L. TiptonRutgers University Libraries

International Conference on the Development of Subject Librarianship

And Personal LibrarianshipOctober 14-16, 2008

Outline Introduction Roles of Subject Librarians Development of Guides by Librarians Roles of Subject Guides Additional Role of Subject Guides

Introduction Roles of Subject Librarians Development of Guides by Librarians Roles of Subject Guides Additional Role of Subject Guides

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Three campuses in the state Enrollment is around 50,000 Wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and

professional programs

Rutgers University Libraries

Over two dozen libraries and collections Five business bibliographers among the forty

subject librarians Supports the research, teaching, and service

missions of the university

IntroductionRoles of Subject Librarians Development of Guides by Librarians Roles of Subject Guides Additional Role of Subject Guides

Roles of Subject Librarians

Reference Collection Development

Instruction

SubjectLibrarian

Role of Subject Librarians... In Instruction Teach information literacy classes Learn from and with students

Role of Subject Librarians... In Reference Answer questions

In person On the phone By e-mail Via online chat

Encounter new questions that need answers

Role of Subject Librarians... In Collection Development Select print and electronic resources Discover free resources from the Internet

Introduction Roles of Subject LibrariansDevelopment of Guides by

Librarians Roles of Subject Guides Additional Role of Subject Guides

Subject Guide Development

Multiple librarians as contributors Diverse experiences and expertise Different starting points

Bibliography Class guide Reference pathfinder Teaching outline Web resources

Subject Guide Content

Research process or “plan of attack” for assignment

Resources Print

Throughout the library system Electronic

Free, Web-accessible Subscription-based

Subject Guide Structure

“Every design choice springs entirely from interpretation of the learning need of a specific user community.”

Hemmig, 2005

Subject Guide Maintenance

Continual updating, based on Classroom feedback Reference questions New resources

“Pruning and grafting” Single editor

Introduction Roles of Subject Librarians Development of Guides by LibrariansRoles of Subject Guides Additional Role of Subject Guides

Roles of Subject Research Guides

Reference Collection Development

Instruction

Research Guide

Role of Subject Guides... In Instruction Adaptable teaching outline Pre-selected resources

Role of Subject Guides... In Reference Guide for non-subject specialists Resources that are reliable

Role of Subject Guides... In Collection Development Highlighting of resources from throughout the

library system Inclusion of resources from the Internet

Introduction Roles of Subject Librarians Development of Guides by Librarians Roles of Subject GuidesAdditional Role of Subject Guides

Additional Role of Subject Research Guides

Public Relations

Reference

Collection Development

Instruction

Research Guide

Role of Subject Guides... In Public Relations Orientation for new students Support for external reviews of academic

departments

Thank you!

Ka-Neng Auau@rutgers.edu1-973-353-5911

http://newark.rutgers.edu/~au/subject_guides_china.pps