Last updated: 11/01/04
Collection Management Potential Liaison Activities for University of RI Libraries’ Subject Selectors

The following checklist is meant to identify potential activities for individual liaisons to consider when preparing a course of action for their assigned programs. The list is not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive; rather it is meant to outline a variety of actions one might consider when preparing a liaison action plan for a particular academic year. Recognizing that no one plan will serve for all – that each assignment, and each liaison’s skills, time, and energy call for a different strategy during any particular year – the checklist is presented as a source of possible actions not as a specific or definitive program.

Communication

• Have name added to departmental mail and e-mail distribution lists.
• Create or update electronic distribution list of liaison clientele.
• Update subject web page or other "resources by subject page".
• Have resources by subject page linked from department, program or alternate (Pell;CCE) campus web site.
• Produce information guides on new services, collections, and research tools.
• Prepare or update subject research guides and electronic guides.
• Have subject research guides and electronic guides scanned and linked to the subject web page.
• Schedule regular on site visits, e.g. office or computer lab hours.
• Prepare and distribute library information news updates (electronic or paper) targeted to the liaison department.

Information Sharing

• Send information packets to new faculty including adjuncts.
• Schedule individual orientation meetings with new faculty and adjuncts.
• Schedule library orientation session for new graduate students.
• Review and, if appropriate, revise undergraduate (First Year) orientation or instruction programs.
• Schedule demonstrations of relevant electronic products.
• Introduce or update new and continuing faculty and students to the ILL/Document Delivery and especially HELIN services.
• Prepare library exhibit(s) relating to liaison area.
• Establish or update new books distribution list.
• Establish “new materials” list for other formats such as videos or CDs.

Information Gathering

• Meet with Department Head, Dean, or Campus Director to learn about the current plans for the department, program, or campus; seek feedback on the library liaison program and your action plan (if you have one) being established for the year.
• Continue meeting regularly with departmental liaison to learn about current plans for the department; seek feedback on the library liaison program and the action plan being established for the year.
• Attend departmental meetings or other faculty inclusive gatherings.
• Attend departmental or campus seminars/events/workshops.
• Attend departmental or campus retreat.
• Survey and document faculty research interests.
• Serve on a departmental, program, or campus committee.
• Assist with department, program, or campus self-study / re-accreditation / grant.
• Learn about the curriculum.

Collection Development

• Perform reference collection review and weed.
• Perform a scan of electronic resources in the subject or program. area and prepare a recommendation for the collection management officer.
• Create or update collection development profile.
• Suggest updates to collection development policy and when appropriate communicate to appropriate individuals.
• Monitor use of serial titles: add and drop titles according to cost and need.
• Review serial titles for potential shift from paper to electronic format if we have not already done so.

Program Development

• Monitor the profession with regard to potential liaison activities for this area.
• Investigate whether a collaboration or a partnership with another library staff member would enhance a Liaison program.
• Audit or attend a class in the liaison subject area.
• Write and submit an article for publication that is related to one’s liaison work or liaison subject area. (This helps in understanding what area is all about.)
• Participate in a conference or workshop related to one’s subject area.
• Assist with planning of conference related to one’s subject area.
• Anything else you can think of that will enhance your understanding of your area(s) of responsibility.

Vocino, November 2004