LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

What is a special library? No universally agreed upon definition. Specialized information –Often resources are quite expensive Specialized users May or may not be open to the public Often an active part of the “enterprise” or “organization” May or may not be called a “library” Is often revenue neutral –Must demonstrate value to the organization Advocacy/Professional group: Special Library Association (SLA)Special Library Association

Special librarians Promote library’s services Provide value-added services and products May be part of one or more functional teams Often support decision making Add to the organization’s competitive intelligence Are likely to be a part of an organization’s Knowledge Management efforts May be webmasters May or may not have specialized training or background –Demonstrating the ability to learn and curiosity is crucial –Facility with spreadsheets is helpful –Facility with web authoring tools is helpful –Customer service orientation is MANDATORY

Working environment Salaries are often quite good May be somewhat formal, corporate environments Equipment is often new Budgets are often generous –Create relationships with vendors –Account for funds spent Typically serve a homogenous constituency Evaluation is often the same as any other corporate department –Periodic reporting and accounting for expenditures Must jockey for recognition with IT departments –Turf issues Necessary to position and defend the concept of “library”

Working environment, cont’d. Cordial, professional demeanor –In line with organizational culture Librarians often have significant management duties

Special library sampler Topography of Terror Foundation Library Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Library Black Film Center Library American Organ Archives Art Institute of Chicago Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries Environmental Protection Agency Libraries National Baseball Hall of Fame - Library and Research Center National Geographic Library Wisconsin Primate Research Center Library Texas Medical Association Marian Library--University of Dayton Misc. Media Libraries

Special issues for special libraries Copyright/Fair Use –Tax supported information support for private industry? Conversion to Virtual Library formats Corporate downsizing Perception that KM systems and the internet can replace librarians Competition from other information-related departments Specialized collection development –Somewhat obscure resources Learning curve for the special librarian Confidentiality agreements for special librarians

Aspects of special librarianship Physical facilities Serials management Cataloging –Copy cataloging and original cataloging Special materials Restricted access materials/security Document delivery Profiling Continuous training Archiving –Corporate memory Specialized reference

Aspects of special librarianship Teamwork –Membership –Meetings Collection development –Specialized and general –Vendor relationships