Influences on Library Liaison and Faculty Collaboration in Collection Development

Authors

Tim ButzenFollow

Abstract

Much has been written about library liaison programs in academic libraries throughout the United States. Since their inception, liaison programs have emphasized the collaboration between librarians and faculty in collection development. This brief paper synthesizes relevant literature to identify the dynamics that currently influence this collaboration. Those that emerge here include liaison job descriptions and collection development policies, direct service and collaboration, information reciprocity, relational factors, and budgets. The paper concludes with suggestions for interdisciplinary collaboration and for future teaching and research.