In Defense of Old Fashioned Methods: Collaboration in Subject Guides

1. 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

2. Outline • Introduction • Roles of Subject Librarians • Development of Guides by Librarians • Roles of Subject Guides • Additional Role of Subject Guides

3. Introduction • Roles of Subject Librarians • Development of Guides by Librarians • Roles of Subject Guides • Additional Role of Subject Guides

4. 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

5. 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

6. Introduction • Roles of Subject Librarians • Development of Guides by Librarians • Roles of Subject Guides • Additional Role of Subject Guides

7. Roles of Subject Librarians

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

9. 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

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

11. Introduction • Roles of Subject Librarians • Development of Guides by Librarians • Roles of Subject Guides • Additional Role of Subject Guides

12. Subject Guide Development • Multiple librarians as contributors • Diverse experiences and expertise • Different starting points • Bibliography • Class guide • Reference pathfinder • Teaching outline • Web resources

13. Subject Guide Content • Research process • or “plan of attack” for assignment • Resources • Print • Throughout the library system • Electronic • Free, Web-accessible • Subscription-based

14. “Every design choice springs entirely from interpretation of the learning need of a specific user community.” Hemmig, 2005 Subject Guide Structure

15. Subject Guide Maintenance • Continual updating, based on • Classroom feedback • Reference questions • New resources • “Pruning and grafting” • Single editor

16. Introduction • Roles of Subject Librarians • Development of Guides by Librarians • Roles of Subject Guides • Additional Role of Subject Guides

17. Roles of Subject Research Guides

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

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

20. Role of Subject Guides... In Collection Development • Highlighting of resources from throughout the library system • Inclusion of resources from the Internet

21. Introduction • Roles of Subject Librarians • Development of Guides by Librarians • Roles of Subject Guides • Additional Role of Subject Guides

22. Additional Role of Subject Research Guides

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

24. Thank you! Ka-Neng Au au@rutgers.edu 1-973-353-5911 http://newark.rutgers.edu/~au/subject_guides_china.pps