Multiple Roles of Academic Librarians

Authors

Justine Alsop, Brock University
Karen Bordonaro, Brock University

Date of this Version

Spring 2007

Document Type

Article

Citation

Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (Spring 2007) 8(1). Also available at http://southernlibrarianship.icaap.org/content/v08n01/alsop_j01.htm.

Comments

Copyright 2007, the authors. Used by permission.

Abstract

Abstract

This exploratory research study seeks to investigate the phenomenon of academic librarians working in other paid roles on university campuses in addition to working as librarians. Its purpose is to explore how prevalent this phenomenon might be, to discover what other types of paid positions librarians are engaged in, and to ascertain what the perceived advantages and disadvantages could be of working in dual roles on campus. An online survey was administered and results point out that some academic librarians are engaged in working in multiple roles on campus. Furthermore, a majority of those surveyed saw a number of advantages to such arrangements. Finally, whether the librarians agreed or disagreed with librarians working in dual roles, all respondents seemed to stress the importance of the primacy of librarian work as the major factor in determining whether or not to pursue other paid opportunities on campus. Results point to a need to open a conversation among librarians as to what academic librarian work should constitute both now and in the future.