1. Special Libraries Association Annual Conference 2009
Solo Librarians Division Program:
The New Face of the Special Librarian:
the Embedded Librarian
Presentation by
Mary Talley
June 15, 2009

2. Do Embedded Librarians Have More Fun?
© Mary Talley 2009

3. Do Embedded Librarians Have More Fun?
How Do I Know ???
Models of Embedded Librarianship
Research Funded by
Special Libraries Association, 2008 Grant
© Mary Talley 2009

4. Do Embedded Librarians Have More Fun?
Yes, Absolutely!
© Mary Talley 2009

5. What Are We Talking About When We Talk About Embedded Librarians?
One organization’s embedded librarian is another’s informationist . . .
© Mary Talley 2009

6.  Yes, I provide specialized services to one or more customer groups.
Our Definition
Do you provide specialized services to any single customer group within your organization?
 Yes, I provide specialized services to one or more customer groups.
© Mary Talley 2009

7. Who’s Embedded?
 Solo law librarian working for a single office firm, providing services to all
 Solo law librarian working in a branch office of a multi-office law, providing services to all in the branch
 Solo law librarian providing specialized services (working exclusively) for an intellectual property group
© Mary Talley 2009

8. Embedded Librarians Have More Fun Because...They Are...
© Mary Talley 2009

9. Embedded Librarians Have More Fun
“In the Driver’s Seat,” they...
Drive interactions
Hear the “unasked questions”
Generate work
Greater control over their work;
Drive relationships with their customer groups – paradigm shift from the traditional librarian/customer relationship. Create opportunities for interactions – and the embedded is as likely to initiate that interaction as the customer. Likely to find them attending customer groups work meetings; setting up meetings with customer group executive and managers to discuss work and information needs; attending the same classes, conferences as their customers
Through these frequent interactions, they’re in a position to hear a “need” – to recognize a way in which their skills can be used that the customer never thought of. In the driver’s seat, they don’t have to wait to be asked – they hear, articulate and respond to it.
They are opportunists and they direct their own work – in large part - example
© Mary Talley 2009

10. Embedded Librarians Have More Fun
“In the Fast Lane,” they are...
Riding with customer groups
“Sharing the load” for outcomes
Trucking with the organization’s goals
Through these frequent interactions, they’re in a position to hear a “need” – to recognize a way in which their skills can be used that the customer never thought of. In the driver’s seat, they don’t have to wait to be asked – they hear, articulate and respond to it.
They are opportunists and they direct their own work – in large part - example
© Mary Talley 2009

11. Embedded Librarians Have More Fun
“In a Porsche,” they have traded in a Toyota to...
Reframe skill sets
Ratchet up analysis
Up-scale end-products
Impact the bottom-line
Greater control over their work;
Drive relationships with their customer groups – paradigm shift from the traditional librarian/customer relationship. Create opportunities for interactions – and the embedded is as likely to initiate that interaction as the customer. Likely to find them attending customer groups work meetings; setting up meetings with customer group executive and managers to discuss work and information needs; attending the same classes, conferences as their customers
Through these frequent interactions, they’re in a position to hear a “need” – to recognize a way in which their skills can be used that the customer never thought of. In the driver’s seat, they don’t have to wait to be asked – they hear, articulate and respond to it.
They are opportunists and they direct their own work – in large part - example
© Mary Talley 2009

12. Embedded Librarians Have More Fun “Does it add up to ‘fun’?”
A piece of the action +
New relationships
Excitement +
Value-added services +
Broader skill-sets
Greater control over their work;
Drive relationships with their customer groups – paradigm shift from the traditional librarian/customer relationship. Create opportunities for interactions – and the embedded is as likely to initiate that interaction as the customer. Likely to find them attending customer groups work meetings; setting up meetings with customer group executive and managers to discuss work and information needs; attending the same classes, conferences as their customers
Through these frequent interactions, they’re in a position to hear a “need” – to recognize a way in which their skills can be used that the customer never thought of. In the driver’s seat, they don’t have to wait to be asked – they hear, articulate and respond to it.
They are opportunists and they direct their own work – in large part - example +
New opportunities =
Job satisfaction
© Mary Talley 2009

13. Solo Librarians Have What it Takes
To join the fun:
Organization size – small may be better
Industry Types – anyone can join
Education and Experience – MLS welcome, experience necessary
Greater control over their work;
Drive relationships with their customer groups – paradigm shift from the traditional librarian/customer relationship. Create opportunities for interactions – and the embedded is as likely to initiate that interaction as the customer. Likely to find them attending customer groups work meetings; setting up meetings with customer group executive and managers to discuss work and information needs; attending the same classes, conferences as their customers
Through these frequent interactions, they’re in a position to hear a “need” – to recognize a way in which their skills can be used that the customer never thought of. In the driver’s seat, they don’t have to wait to be asked – they hear, articulate and respond to it.
They are opportunists and they direct their own work – in large part - example
© Mary Talley 2009

14. Solo Librarians Have What it Takes
To join the fun:
Entrepreneurial Spirit – you’re already there
Management Support – ready-made relationships
Library Management Support – you’re it
Greater control over their work;
Drive relationships with their customer groups – paradigm shift from the traditional librarian/customer relationship. Create opportunities for interactions – and the embedded is as likely to initiate that interaction as the customer. Likely to find them attending customer groups work meetings; setting up meetings with customer group executive and managers to discuss work and information needs; attending the same classes, conferences as their customers
Through these frequent interactions, they’re in a position to hear a “need” – to recognize a way in which their skills can be used that the customer never thought of. In the driver’s seat, they don’t have to wait to be asked – they hear, articulate and respond to it.
They are opportunists and they direct their own work – in large part - example
© Mary Talley 2009

15. Embedded Librarians Have More Fun
Come along for the ride …
Join the fun …
Greater control over their work;
Drive relationships with their customer groups – paradigm shift from the traditional librarian/customer relationship. Create opportunities for interactions – and the embedded is as likely to initiate that interaction as the customer. Likely to find them attending customer groups work meetings; setting up meetings with customer group executive and managers to discuss work and information needs; attending the same classes, conferences as their customers
Through these frequent interactions, they’re in a position to hear a “need” – to recognize a way in which their skills can be used that the customer never thought of. In the driver’s seat, they don’t have to wait to be asked – they hear, articulate and respond to it.
They are opportunists and they direct their own work – in large part - example
You won’t be alone for long.
© Mary Talley 2009

16. Thank You Questions? Contact: Mary Talley Mary.talleygarcia@gmail.com