Library representative guidance

Purpose and scope of role

To work in partnership with the Senior Librarians (Academic Liaison) to ensure that the strategic direction of the School’s teaching and research is well understood and supported by Libraries and Museums.

To communicate strategic developments in Libraries and Museums to colleagues within the School and to ensure they are aware of resources, policies, initiatives and developments that may be relevant to their role and academic interests.

Role holders will need to have a broad overview of the direction of travel for teaching, learning and research within the School, as well as having access to appropriate channels for communicating and engaging with colleagues on issues relevant to working in partnership with Libraries and Museums as detailed below.

Key duties

To discuss new areas of research or teaching under consideration by the School, as well as new ways of delivering teaching or undertaking research, with the Senior Librarians (Academic Liaison) to inform overall collection development and strategic planning carried out by Libraries and Museums.
To receive and share updates on strategic developments in Libraries and Museums to colleagues within the School, as well as information on library resources, policies and initiatives.
To write joint business cases for funding new acquisitions with the Senior Librarians (Academic Liaison) where appropriate, including likely usage cases.
To canvass colleagues in the School about possible new acquisitions and to make colleagues aware of existing resources that are under-used.
To assist the Senior Librarians (Academic Liaison) and Head of Library Collections, Metadata and Discovery in assessing material offered to the Library as donations and provide a written endorsement for any donations that the School would like us to bring to the attention of the Libraries and Museums Collections Working Group.
To advise colleagues from Libraries and Museums, or put them in contact with relevant colleagues from the School, to assess existing collections, making the Senior Librarians (Academic Liaison) aware of any areas of teaching and research which are no longer part of the School’s remit.
To gather feedback on any relevant trials of resources that are taking place.
To promote and advocate for events and services pertaining to Libraries and Museums.
To work with colleagues from Libraries and Museums on analysing and responding to results of internal and national student surveys.
To participate in meetings of the Library Representatives group.

Library Representatives group

Once a semester, Library Representatives will meet to receive and share updates and to discuss and provide input into current initiatives or proposed developments to services.

The Senior Librarians (Academic Liaison) will also maintain contact with the group through email and Teams, as well as with individuals on a case-by-case basis.