How is the Role of Academic Library Workers Perceived by both Faculty Members and Library Workers?

Liat Klain-Gabbay; Snunith Shoham

doi:10.1515/libri-2017-0021

Artikel

How is the Role of Academic Library Workers Perceived by both Faculty Members and Library Workers?

Liat Klain-Gabbay und Snunith Shoham

Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 14. November 2017

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Abstract

This study examined, qualitatively and quantitatively, how academic faculty members perceive the role of academic library workers (ALWs) and how these workers perceive their own roles in the library. Interviews were conducted with 20 faculty members and with 15 ALWs in three academic institutes in Israel, after which 191 faculty members and 50 ALWs from the same institutes completed a close-ended questionnaire. The interviews indicated that, in both study groups, a clear and unequivocal role definition for ALWs is currently lacking, while in both groups the definition “information scientist” has not yet been established, as some faculty members mentioned role definitions other than “librarian” or “information scientist”. The quantitative findings demonstrated that both study groups believe the role definition is mainly according to the library in which the ALWs work and that the main distinction between “librarian” and “information scientist” is being proficient in the field of information technologies.

Keywords: academic library; faculty members; librarians; information scientists; role perception

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Appendixes

A Interview with librarians/information scientists

This research regards the definition and role perception of academic library workers by two research populations. The interview is designed to last about an hour. It will be recorded to later transcribe it and analyze its content. The identity of the participants and institutions will be entirely confidential.

How would you define the library workers: Librarians / Information Scientists / another definition?
1. Can you briefly describe the profession that you have defined?
2. How would you define yourself?
How do you think the academic staff would define the academic library workers?
What is the definition of your role in the library?
1. How long have you been doing it?
2. Do you perform or would like to perform tasks that are beyond your role definition?
In your experience, is there a relationship between the academic staff and the library? Please elaborate.
Do you feel that there is a different relationship with teaching professors than with researchers (i. e., those who do more research than teaching)?
Do you have experience working with academic staff?
1. In what type of work?
2. What can you say about the characteristics of this relationship, e. g., its frequency, format (personal, through phone, through email), etc.?
In your opinion, what are the expectations of the academic staff from the library?
What is your personal feeling about your functioning with respect to the academic staff?
Do you think that the academic library is aware of the expectations that the academic staff have of it?
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Age:
1. 25–34
2. 35–44
3. 45–54
4. 55-64
5. 65 or above
Gender: Male / Female
Education: Diploma / First degree / Second degree / Third degree
Years of experience in the profession:
Years of experience in this library:

B Interview with faculty members

How would you define the library workers: Librarians / Information Scientists / another definition? Can you explain your definition?
Do you think that there is a relationship between the academic staff and the library?
Do you have a relationship with library workers? If so – for what uses?
1. Can you describe the nature of this relationship, your satisfaction or dissatisfaction of it?
2. What are your expectations from the academic library in the institution where you teach?
In your opinion, do librarians / information scientists in an academic library have the ability to integrate more in the process of research communication? Do you perceive the library as being able to assist you in your research?
Do you think that the collaboration between academic staff and the library needs to be greater or tighter? If so – in what respect?
Do you think that there are differences between the academic staff and the librarians / information scientists regarding their perceptions of the library, its importance, its roles, etc.?
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Age:
1. 25–34
2. 35–44
3. 45–54
4. 55-64
5. 65 or above
Gender: Male / Female
Year in which you received your degree:
Faculty / department affiliation:
Years of experience in the profession:
Years of experience in this institution:
Do you do more research or teaching? (research time in percentage)

C Questionnaire for librarians / information scientists

This research regards the definition and role perception of library workers by two research populations.

I will be thankful for your cooperation and completing the questionnaire.

The identity of all participants will remain confidential.

Please complete the questionnaire and send it to me as early as possible, so that I can meet the schedule of the research.

Thank you so much.

For questions: Liat Klein, email: liatk3011976@gmail.com

*Required

According to your perception, academic library workers are: *
1. Librarians
2. Information Scientists
3. Depends on their role in the library
4. Other: ____________________________________
  1. The difference between a librarian and an information scientists is:* (more than one answer can be checked)
    In the years of studying the profession
    In the expertise in information technologies
    His / her role definition in the library in which he / she works
    In the ability to locate information
    Other: ____________________________
  2. How do you define yourself? *
    A librarian
    An information scientist
    Other: ____________________________
In the framework of your job, do you work with faculty members? *
1. yes
2. No
  1. If so, in what framework does your connection with the faculty members take place? * (more than one answer can be checked)
    Purchasing
    Loaning
    Referencing
    Information searches
    Interlibrary loans
    Other (please specify): ______________
  2. If so, how often?
    Daily
    Weekly
    Monthly
    On a semester basis
In your opinion, to what needs do faculty members use the library the most? *
1. Research
2. Teaching
3. Research and teaching to a similar extent
4. ther: _____________________________________
1. Is this use more: *
  1. In the library as a physical place to sit and work in
  2. In the printed library collections
  3. In the virtual library collections
  4. Both in the printed and in the virtual library collections
Do you think that the academic library is perceived as a central and important institution in the eyes of the academic staff? *
1. To a high extent
2. To a moderate extent
3. To a low extent
4. Depending on the faculty member
1. What do you think affects the perception of the faculty member*?
  1. The department with which he / she is affiliated
  2. The extent to which he / she primarily teaches
  3. The extent to which he / she primarily conducts research
  4. The institution with which he / she is affiliated
  5. Other: _______________________________
Do you have any comments or suggestions? ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
For statistical purposes, please state the name of your academic institution: *
______________________________________________
For statistical purposes, please state the name and type of library in which you work: *
______________________________________________
For statistical purposes, please state your age: * _______
Gender: *
1. Male
2. Female
Librarianship education:
1. Diploma
2. First degree
3. Second degree
4. Third degree
Additional librarianship education: ______________________________________________
Years of experience in the profession: * _____________
Years of experience in this library: * _____________
Your role definition in the library in which you work: * ______________________________________

D Questionnaire for faculty members

This research regards the definition and role perception of library workers by two research populations.

I will be thankful for your cooperation and completing the questionnaire.

The identity of participants will remain confidential.

Please complete the questionnaire and send it to me as early as possible, so that I can meet the schedule of the research.

Thank you so much.

For questions: Liat Klein, email: liatk3011976@gmail.com

*Required

In your opinion, academic library workers are: *
1. Librarians
2. Information Scientists
3. Depends on their role in the library
1. The difference between a librarian and an information scientist is: * (more than one answer can be checked)
  1. In the years of studying the profession
  2. In the expertise in information technologies
  3. In the role definition in the library in which he / she works
  4. In the ability to locate information
  5. Other: ________________________________
How often do you visit the library? *
1. Weekly
2. Monthly
3. On a semester basis
4. Rarely
5. Never
1. If you do visit the library, what for? (more than one answer can be checked)
  1. Reading books / newspapers / journals
  2. Watching movies
  3. Use the internet / library resources
  4. Assistance from the staff (purchasing, reference work, interlibrary loans)
  5. Meetings (with students or faculty members)
  6. Loaning
Do you think the library can assist with your teaching needs? *
1. Yes, always
2. Often
3. Rarely
4. Never
Do you encourage your students to use the library? *
1. Yes, always
2. Often
3. Rarely
4. Never
Do you think the library can assist with your research needs? *
1. Yes, always
2. Often
3. Rarely
4. Never
Do you have any comments or suggestions? ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
For statistical purposes, please state the name of your academic institution: * ______________________________________________
For statistical purposes, please state the department with which you are affiliated: * ______________________________________________
Please state your age: * ________
Gender: *
1. Male
2. Female
The year in which you received your doctorate degree: * ___________
Years of experience as a teacher / researcher: * _____________
Years of experience as a teacher / researcher in this institution: * _____________
Do you spend more time in research or teaching? (research time in percentages): _______

Received: 2017-3-22

Accepted: 2017-6-30

Published Online: 2017-11-14

Published in Print: 2017-12-20

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https://doi.org/10.1515/libri-2017-0021

Schlagwörter für diesen Artikel

academic library; faculty members; librarians; information scientists; role perception