LIS 204:Introduction to Library and Information Science
Topic: Overview of Special Libraries
Kevin Rioux, PhD
What is a special library?
• No universally agreed upon definition.
• Specialized information
– Often resources are quite expensive
• Specialized users
• May or may not be open to the public
• Often an active part of the “enterprise” or “organization”
• May or may not be called a “library”
• Is often revenue neutral
– Must demonstrate value to the organization
• Advocacy/Professional group: Special Library Association (SLA)
Special librarians
• Promote library’s services
• Provide value-added services and products
• May be part of one or more functional teams
• Often support decision making
• Add to the organization’s competitive intelligence
• Are likely to be a part of an organization’s Knowledge Management efforts
• May be webmasters
• May or may not have specialized training or background
– Demonstrating the ability to learn and curiosity is crucial
– Facility with spreadsheets is helpful
– Facility with web authoring tools is helpful
– Customer service orientation is MANDATORY
Working environment
• Salaries are often quite good• May be somewhat formal, corporate environments• Equipment is often new• Budgets are often generous
– Create relationships with vendors– Account for funds spent
• Typically serve a homogenous constituency• Evaluation is often the same as any other corporate department
– Periodic reporting and accounting for expenditures• Must jockey for recognition with IT departments
– Turf issues• Necessary to position and defend the concept of “library”
Working environment, cont’d.
• Cordial, professional demeanor
– In line with organizational culture
• Librarians often have significant management duties
Special library sampler
• Topography of Terror Foundation Library
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Library
• Black Film Center Library
• American Organ Archives
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries
• Environmental Protection Agency Libraries
• National Baseball Hall of Fame - Library and Research Center
• National Geographic Library
• Wisconsin Primate Research Center Library
• Texas Medical Association
• Marian Library--University of Dayton
• Misc. Media Libraries
Special issues for special libraries
• Copyright/Fair Use
– Tax supported information support for private industry?
• Conversion to Virtual Library formats
• Corporate downsizing
• Perception that KM systems and the internet can replace librarians
• Competition from other information-related departments
• Specialized collection development
– Somewhat obscure resources
• Learning curve for the special librarian
• Confidentiality agreements for special librarians
Aspects of special librarianship
• Physical facilities
• Serials management
• Cataloging
– Copy cataloging and original cataloging
• Special materials
• Restricted access materials/security
• Document delivery
• Profiling
• Continuous training
• Archiving
– Corporate memory
• Specialized reference
Aspects of special librarianship
• Teamwork
– Membership
– Meetings
• Collection development
– Specialized and general
– Vendor relationships