Training & Becoming a Science Librarian in 2010

Training & Becoming a Science Librarian in 2010

Julia Gelfand, UCISTELLA, January 2010

Julia Gelfand, UCISTELLA, January 2010

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The Science Library of the Future

• Recent Books that address issues & trends:– Scientific Libraries: Past Developments and

Future Changes by Tomas Lidman (2008)– Academic Research Library in a Decade of

Change by Reg Carr (2007)– Research Library Issues – ARL Special Issue on

Liaison Librarian Roles (August 2009)• Education Role – Finding, Identifying, Evaluating

Information– Enhancing Instruction

• Collection Development & support for information generation– Evolution of Scholarly Communication – Citation Patterns & Practices

• Liaison Role – Curating Science & Engineering Data– Supporting E-Science Directions – recent webinars,

conferences, etc

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Academic Background: What makes a difference?

• Pros & Cons of Science Degrees (BS, MS, PhD) – Subject Expertise – asset or liability?

• Having worked as a “scientist”• Having conducted research• Engaged in scholarly or scientific writing• Value of having the MLS or equivalent• Learning on the job

– Institutional demands & promises

• Supervisory background• Strong technical or systems background – is this being

leveraged for more data-focused emphases

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Expectations of a Science Librarian

• Conversant with language, vocabulary – science lingo

• Knows institutional strengths & reputation• Aware of trends in the discipline• Can offer relevant contemporary applications

& technology support if needed• Aware of industry practices & standards• Familiar with core professional literature• Familiar with important scholarly societies• Knows the key meetings important to faculty• Practices “Learn to Teach” to gain knowledge

& grow on the job

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Multiple Identities

• Librarian vs. Scientist – knowing role within organization

• Versed in Scientific & Scholarly Communication• Understanding different roles of faculty or

primary communities being served– Researcher: Success in Grant Applications – Author: Publishing in competitive organs –

citation analysis– Instructor: Teaching – UG & Grad levels,

supervising Post-Docs

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Specialist vs. Generalist• Training one’s colleagues to basic levels –

“train the trainer”• Aware of interdisciplinary intersections –

business, professional, policy, etc.• Off-Scale pay for science backgrounds• Decline of branch libraries; more integration• Preserving specialized bibliography & literature• Will science remain unique or become more

integrated?• Exploring Open Access & Open Source

potential• Flexibility, versatility, able to live with ambiguity

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Potential for New Learning• Advocating professional development as a

librarian & within discipline as relevant• Identifying with peers• Reading literature – active engagement• Attending lectures & programs• Managing scope of responsibilities – matching

with abilities• Ability to teach – emphasis on information

literacy, graphicacy, visual literacy, data, etc within subject needs

• Engaging in new program development ideas

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Relevant Professional Resources

• Issues in Science & Technology Libraries (ISTL)

• Membership & professional association publications, websites

• Important listserv announcements & communiques

• Conference information• Trade & industry announcements • Webinars & training sources• Networking – colleagues – institutional and

external• Users – faculty, graduate students, etc

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Opportunities for Professional Development

• Library Associations – SLA, ALA, ELD, MLA, ASIS&T, etc.

• Scientific Societies – AAAS, ACS, GIS, etc.• Honorary Societies – Sigma Xi, etc.• Training & Development – IT, specialized

software, etc.• Campus opportunities• Management & Supervisory tracks• Compressed global footprint, but international

picture• Information industry

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And….

• Awareness about:– Science Policy– New areas – curricular, research, general

intersections of specialized interests– Technology– Understanding data– Government strategies – Funding Opportunities & Challenges

• Competitions – government, foundations

• Overhead taxes – campus, etc

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Being Evaluated: What is fair?

• How to treat content component?– Faculty input– Role of peers– Demonstrated evidence

• Maturation through the ranks• Decision-making & judgment• Achieving diverse skill sets• Showing initiative

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Other issues?

• Next Steps?• Taking Initiative

– Working with Library Schools – How?– Mentoring opportunities– Internships– Need for future conferences & topics to explore

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Additional Resources• ARL eScience Imperative 2009 – recent

webinar -http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/infiniteconferencing/DatedRecordings/120809/ARL/120809ARL.html

• Research Data Access and Preservation – ASIS&T Summit, April 2010 – http://www.asis.org/Conferences/IA10/ResearchDataAccessSummit2010

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