In Defense of Old Fashioned Methods: Collaboration in Subject Guides Ka-Neng Au & Roberta L. Tipton Rutgers University Libraries International Conference on the Development of Subject Librarianship And Personal Librarianship October 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

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

Roles of Subject Librarians Subject Librarian Instruction Collection Development Reference

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

Roles of Subject Research Guides Research Guide Instruction Collection Development Reference

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 Guides Additional Role of Subject Guides

Additional Role of Subject Research Guides Research Guide Instruction Collection Development Reference Public Relations

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

Thank you! Ka-Neng Au