Poster Board Number: 121
Title: Embedded Librarianship: A Case Study of Best Practices
Background: As an evolving part of the profession of librarianship, the embedded librarian model is still in the process of establishing guiding principles and best practices. There is no one correct route, and there are few established cases from which to learn about development issues and risks. This case study will demonstrate how one research institution implemented an embedded librarianship program.
Method: In this case study, the author presents an example of an embedded librarianship program at a medium-sized research institution and its effectiveness. A survey was designed that rated the embedded librarians’ experiences in an embedded program, their expectations from the program and their level of satisfaction, the challenges they faced, how long they had been at the institution, how they feel the embedded librarian model is different from a traditional setting, and the rewards or penalties they have identified between the embedded and traditional models.
Results: Respondents agreed unanimously that work is more satisfying and interesting and that the move to become embedded has benefited the division and facilitated a higher level of analytical work. However, 41.7% (5 of 12) of respondents report feeling as if they receive inferior treatment from the clients they provide research assistance to, perceive a disconnect from librarians who work in different departments, and as a result of the previous issue, perceive a lack of casual, spontaneous training. The same percentage reported issues with the management hierarchy.
Conclusions: The move to embed research professionals has been successful on many levels, perhaps most importantly giving clients a more sophisticated level of research assistance and facilitating a higher level of analytical work. However, in a program that has been in effect for six years, major issues such as sufficient training and administrative issues continue to occur.
Author: Bethany S. McGowan, Student, Certificate of Advanced Study in Health Sciences Librarianship, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
