Building bridges: the role of the systems librarian in a university library
| Date | 01 September 2003 |
| Published date | 01 September 2003 |
| Pages | 325-332 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830310494508 |
| Author | Janet Guinea |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Building bridges: the
role of the systems
librarian in a university
library
Janet Guinea
Introduction
Last June a plea to the syslib-L listserver e-mail
list began, ``aren't we the folks who get hit for
everything?'' (Schuyler, 2002). It does seem like
this sometimes, but in a positive light, this
indicates the privileged position of systems
work. Systems tend to become involved with all
departments because systems work can make an
impact on the whole organisation. Considering
this, there is a pressure on systems to
understand the requirements of different
departments and interpret technological
changes into meaningful procedures or
language for library personnel. The way that
systems make connections between
departments and establish appropriate ways to
facilitate projects can be almost as important as
the technological developments themselves.
This article will consider an experience of
systems librarianship in the University of
Leicester with particular reference to the
administration of the library management
system. It will consider work involving library
systems staff, prompted either by the
requirements of library-based teams, or by
university departments outside the library. By
focussing on some recent projects, which have
been instigated as a result of library or
university strategy, it should be possible to see
the way in which the interaction between
systems and other departments plays an
important role in progressing an assignment.
Systems staff often must play the role of
mediator, alongside providing technical support
to an organisation.
Background
The University of Leicester has over 18,000
students including approximately 10,000 at
postgraduate level. There are 42 academic
departments and 35 special divisions and
centres located in six faculties: arts, education
and continuing studies, law, medicine and
biological sciences, science and social sciences.
There is a university-wide graduate school and
an institute of lifelong learning. In 1921 when
the university started life as Leicester University
College, the campus-based library housed
5,000 books. Now the stock of books and
The author
Janet Guinea is Systems Librarian, University Library,
University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Keywords
System monitoring, Librarians, University libraries,
Joint consultations
Abstract
This article will review the role of system librarians in the
administration of a university library management system. It
will focus library systems projects, which have been
instigated as a result of library or university strategy and
discuss the role that systems staff play. In addition to their
technical skills, systems librarians bring possess many other
skills, and must often play the role of mediator. Systems
librarians must be able to work and compromise within the
framework of a university, but also continue to achieve
technological improvements to services.
Electronic access
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
325
Library Hi Tech
Volume 21 .Number 3 .2003 .pp. 325-332
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830310494508
To continue reading
Request your trial