The Solo Librarian

A Practical Handbook

1st Edition - June 18, 2024
Author: Lucy Roper
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 5 7 9 5 - 0
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 8 8 6 6 - 1

Actively diversifying the content to increase its relevance to an international audience, this practical handbook provides a one-stop-shop with accompanying time-saving te… Read more

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Actively diversifying the content to increase its relevance to an international audience, this practical handbook provides a one-stop-shop with accompanying time-saving templates that can be easily adapted to help aid the daily activities and processes often faced by those working in information, knowledge, libraries and related disciplines.

The Solo Librarian: A Practical Handbook provides an internationally applicable and practical handbook that shows a timeline of key activities that happen throughout, in this example, an academic year. Sections provide examples on Acquisitions, cataloguing, updating library guidance (before academic year start - September), Student and Staff Inductions (September/October), Quarterly Business Review to review updates and library usage (Oct – Dec), Library cover over student/staff holiday period (Dec), Quarterly Business Review (Jan – Mar), Quality standard(s) re-accreditation (April), Research methods/study skills webinars (April), Library cover over student holiday period (April), Quarterly Business Review (April –June), and much more.

The idea behind this practical handbook is to provide guidance and templates to cover responsibilities, challenges, benchmarking, acquisitions, classification, archiving, copyright management, and so much more.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Chandos: Advances in information series
Book details
Copyright
List of figures
List of tables
Foreword
Author information
Preface
Preface – What is in this book
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Summary/Purpose
The premise for the book
Part 1. Introduction and getting started
Chapter 1. A personal introduction from a solo librarian
1.1. Why we will always need libraries and archives?
1.2. A personal journey to solo librarianship
1.3. Daily challenges, tasks, roles and responsibilities of solo librarians
1.4. The solo librarian yearly planner/timeline
1.5. An introduction to the organisation (University College of Estate Management, UK)
1.6. Essential skills of solo librarians
1.7. Essential services provided by an information hub
1.8. Looking ahead to Chapter 2 – Reviewing the literature on solo librarianship
Chapter 2. Reviewing the literature on solo librarianship and identifying key roles and responsibilities
2.1. Introduction
2.2. What is a solo librarian?
2.3. The information profession
2.4. Professional knowledge and skills
2.5. Could you manage a one-person library?
2.6. Job titles, roles and responsibilities
2.7. Identifying and understanding roles and responsibilities
2.8. Conclusion
Chapter 3. Library and information services
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Definition(s): What is a library? (Fig. 3.1)
3.3. Academic use of Wikis as a reference site
3.4. What is a digital, online and/or e-Library?
3.5. The information landscape
3.6. Library structure
3.7. Library mission statement
Fig. 3.8 e-Library set-up and structure
3.8. Physical library set-up
3.9. Library guidance
3.10. Conclusion
Part 2. Top tips, research and benchmarking and case studies
Chapter 4. Top tips for successful solo librarianship
4.1. Introduction
4.2. UK CILIP's Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB)
4.3. Top tips for successful solo librarianship
4.4. Aspects and key components of library provision
4.5. Capturing key aspects, dimensions and overall composition of library provision
4.6. Conclusion
Chapter 5. Research and benchmarking
5.1. Introduction
5.2. What is benchmarking? Reviewing the literature
5.3. Defining benchmarks and statistics
5.4. How do you measure the success of change?
5.5. Data storytelling – Staff and student library usage statistics
5.6. New ways of working – Library provision over the COVID-19 pandemic period
5.7. Quality assurance and benchmarking
5.8. The importance of establishing networks and key contacts
5.9. Research and influence
5.10. UCEM's e-Library resource collections
5.11. Building a library that works for everyone … even in times of uncertainty
5.12. Improve and maintain tutor/school of the built environment relationships
5.13. Recognition, accreditation and awards
5.14. Conclusion
Chapter 6. Delphi exercise and case studies (incl. International)
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Delphi exercise
6.3. Research strategies
6.4. Case studies
6.5. Conclusion
Chapter 7. Access and identity management
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Federated access
7.3. How does federated access work?
7.4. Authentication tools
7.5. Authentication from an international perspective
7.6. Conclusion
Part 3. Library developments, legal compliance, marketing and communications
Chapter 8. Library developments
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Library visits/tours
8.3. Networking
8.4. Learning from and applying research to working practices
8.5. Ongoing work and examples of library developments
8.6. Communication(s)
8.7. Library developments for physical libraries
8.8. SCONUL – Society of College, National and University Libraries
8.9. Conclusion
Chapter 9. Accessibility
9.1. Introduction
9.2. Accessibility depends on the situation
9.3. Online accessibility
9.4. Accessibility policies
9.5. Alternative format service(s)
9.6. Accessibility statements
9.7. Accessibility action plan
9.8. Good examples of accessibility information, advice and guidance (UK and international)
9.9. Accessibility from an international perspective
9.10. Conclusion
Chapter 10. Copyright
10.1. Introduction
10.2. Background to copyright
10.3. Who owns the copyright?
10.4. Duration of copyright
10.5. Copyright and accessible use of digital resources
10.6. Creative commons (CC) licences
10.7. Copyright implications when undertaking research
10.8. Copyright whilst using internet sources
10.9. Fair dealing
10.10. Copyright licensing – UK copyright licensing agency (CLA)
10.11. UK copyright licensing agency, digital content store
10.12. Our (UCEM) fully automated copyright process
10.13. Referencing and acknowledging other's work
10.14. Seeking copyright permission
10.15. Conclusion
10.16. Copyright from an international perspective
Chapter 11. Marketing and communications
11.1. Introduction
11.2. Making the most of opportunities
11.3. Marketing models
11.4. SWOT analysis
11.5. Promoting the library
11.6. Current awareness service(s)
11.7. Marketing and promotion examples
11.8. Networks and continuing professional development events
11.9. Awards and recognition
11.10. Conclusion
Chapter 12. Book conclusion, looking forward and the future of libraries
12.1. Introduction
12.2. Four contexts for our professional future
12.3. Changing role of library professionals in the digital environment
12.4. Challenges facing libraries and librarians
12.5. Library and information services strategy
12.6. Future developments
12.7. Book conclusion
Appendix introduction
Appendix 1 – The solo librarian yearly timeline/planner
Appendix 2 – Lucy the librarian's top tips for solo librarianship
Appendix 3 – Job specification examples
Appendix 4 – Structure: The sections that make up the library
Appendix 5 – Library guidance note example
Appendix 6 – Resource request form (acquisitions)
Appendix 7 – Library resources: Operational processes
Appendix 8 – Library resources: Financial management
Appendix 9 – Accessibility statement for the e-Library
Appendix 10 – Intellectual property (IP)
Appendix 11 – Copyright request permission forms
Appendix 12 – Copyright coversheets
Appendix 13 – Copyright process, flowchart and risk register
Appendix 14 – Copyright reporting: Manual process
Appendix 15 Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system
Appendix 16 – e-Library Tailor-Made Research Report (TMRR) example
Appendix 17 – e-Library reading list example (literature searching) – Future of libraries and library services
Appendix 18 – Marketing and promotion examples
Appendix 19 – Library developments (Padlet noticeboard)
Appendix 20 – Data retention and disposal schedule
Appendix 21 – Research ethics: Information sheet, consent and approval form(s) and checklist template
Appendix 22 – Key organizations for library, information and knowledge professionals (in the UK and Internationally)
Appendix 23 – Glossary of terms – Identity and access management glossary for librarians
Bibliography and further reading
Index

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

The Solo Librarian

A Practical Handbook

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Lucy Roper