Transcript
Page 1: LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

LIS 204:Introduction to Library and Information Science

Topic: Overview of Special Libraries

Kevin Rioux, PhD

Page 2: 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)

Page 3: LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

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

Page 4: LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

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”

Page 5: LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

Working environment, cont’d.

• Cordial, professional demeanor

– In line with organizational culture

• Librarians often have significant management duties

Page 6: LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

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

Page 7: LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

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

Page 8: LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

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

Page 9: LIS 204: Introduction to Library and Information Science Topic: Overview of Special Libraries Kevin Rioux, PhD

Aspects of special librarianship

• Teamwork

– Membership

– Meetings

• Collection development

– Specialized and general

– Vendor relationships


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