Core Competencies to the Rescue: Taking Stock and Protecting Institutional Knowledge
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Core Competencies to the Rescue Shade Aladebumoye Nadine Ellero Paula Sullenger Auburn University Libraries
description
The Electronic Resources and Serials Services Department at Auburn University was searching for a way to take stock of skills held and missing and focus on key areas of training needed by the group. The unit has adopted the "Core Competencies for Electronic Resources Librarians" as a way to systematically tame these and other issues. The presenters will describe how we use the Core Competencies to: conduct a self-assessment of skills by unit members; identify competencies where proficiency is lacking; prioritize training for department members; and to organize measures to protect the future from any potential loss of staff or institutional knowledge. Shade Aladebumoye Library Associate for Serials, Auburn University Shade Aladebumoye is the Library Associate for serials and has been at Auburn University since 1995. She manages the ordering and invoicing of serials in all formats, oversees bindery operations, and is currently expanding her role to include electronic resource trouble-shooting. Nadine Ellero Serials Acquisitions Librarian, Auburn University Nadine P. Ellero has been the Serials Acquisitions Librarian at the Auburn University Libraries, in Auburn, Alabama since September 2011. From 1990-2011 she was the Intellectual Access and Metadata Librarian at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is also a member of the American Library Association and Chair of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) Cataloging and Metadata Management Section (CaMMS) Research & Publications committee in addition to serving on the editorial board of Library Resources & Technical Services. Paula Sullenger Head of the Electronic Resources and Serials Services Department, Auburn University Paula Sullenger has been at Auburn University since 1992, serving in a variety of serials-related positions. She is currently Head of the Electronic Resources and Serials Services Department.
Transcript of Core Competencies to the Rescue: Taking Stock and Protecting Institutional Knowledge
- 1. Core Competencies to the Rescue Shade Aladebumoye Nadine Ellero Paula Sullenger Auburn University Libraries
- 2. Auburn University Libraries January 2011 $6 million materials expenditures 1 librarian 1 serials associate (invoicing, payment resolution) 1 IT specialist 1 serials assistant (print) No ERM No policy/procedures manual Lot of information/expertise silos New librarian hired fall 2011 Long-term goal: Have at least two people able to perform every task in the department
- 3. NASIG Core Competencies for Electronic Resource Librarians www.nasig.org Core The Core Competencies Task Force developed a document describing core competencies for serials and electronic resources librarians. It provides librarian educators with a basis for developing curriculum with a specialized focus. Employers might use the Competencies as a basis for describing these specialized positions and to establish criteria upon which to evaluate the performance of those who hold them. It is based on current research and complements ALA's Core Competences for Librarianship.
- 4. Department Assessment using the Core Competencies June 2013 *Note: this assessment was made using draft version of the competencies available in June differs slightly from final version Initials key: SA = Serials Associate SAL= Serials Acquisitions Librarian ITS= Information Technology Specialist DH= Department Head Ratings key: Bold Initials: complete mastery, I can do this Normal Initials: I feel confident in this; if the person with primary responsibility were out for a week, I could fill in and perform this duty Italic Initials: I understand what this is but I do not feel confident in my abilities here; I would not be able to do this task Blank: I havent the slightest idea how to do this
- 5. Initial assessment: July 2013 DH 1e. Thorough knowledge of acquisitions processes in order to manage electronic resources budgets, particularly: encumbrances, ILS Acquisition module functions, split funds and other situations particular to acquisition of journal packages that may not have a single discipline in common, service and lock in charges, adjusting for discrepancy between fiscal and calendar year accounting. The electronic resources librarian has the ability to skillfully SA SAL DH i. acquire and maintain subscriptions through agent(s) and/or directly with publishers SA ITS DH ii. establish and manage procedures to ensure access to electronic serials SA SALITS DH iii. troubleshoot electronic resources access problems
- 6. 3. Research Skills: the electronic resources librarian SAL DH 3a. Recognizes the need for data, selecting appropriate data analysis methods and utilizing data (e.g. resource usage statistics) persuasively to inform decision making SAL DH 3b. Understands the complex range of data generated by and related to electronic resources from the sources in #1, as well as vendor web sites and proprietary products, and how these data are interconnected or distinct. SAL DH 3c. Has the ability to collect, analyze, manipulate, and provide meaningful interpretation of data using relational databases, spreadsheet and word processing programs, and online tools. SAL DH 3d. Possesses a broad understanding (or ability to acquire such understanding) of the electronic resources accessible through the organization and the ability to examine and evaluate current and potential purchases in objective and user-centered ways (assessment).
- 7. Reassessment: March 2014 Changes to initial ratings in red The electronic resources librarian has SA SAL DH 1a. A complete and extensive understanding of the overall life cycle process of electronic resources in its ongoing complexity and multiple stages and processes. This broader understanding is essential as a foundation in order for anyone to be prepared to work with and act as a bridge across the multiple units/departments involved in electronic resources. SA SAL SAL DH 1b. A thorough understanding of records management in the sense of coordinating, organizing, and managing complex records related to acquiring electronic resources.
- 8. Shade Aladebumoye o Comfortable managing print journals o Suddenly shifting more and more into electronic formats. o Struggle with management, organization, and provision of access.
- 9. o Introduced to Core Competencies for ERL o Help identify knowledge and skills needed. o Self assessment o Wake up call o Expand my role to include electronic resource o Trouble shooting
- 10. o Lib_cathelp list group o Email list for reporting any catalog/access issue o Several people in TechServ monitor the list o Each day assigned to one person o Problems range from simple to complex o Wrong call # or location on a book o Catalog says we have access but we dont o Wrong coverage dates on a journal o Cant access off-campus o Etc.
- 11. 2.7 Software such as o Link resolver software o Main approach o Set up training sessions
- 12. o Practice practice practice... o Trouble shooting: identifying and correcting access problem
- 13. 4.4 Demonstrating the ability to work collaboratively with other units and staff, establishing and maintaining effective working relationship. Very strong
- 14. Nadines First Self-Assessment 1.1 ER Acquisitions: weak 1.2 ER Licensing: weak 1.3 Organization & Representation of Recorded Knowledge and Information: strong 1.4 Experience with Bibliographic Utilities: strong 1.5 Complex Aspects of Records Management & Workflow: weak
- 15. Nadines Comments Regarding First Self-Assessment Prior position contained elements of an Electronic Resources Librarian knowledge and skill set 2.7 strong: KnowledgeBases LinkResolvers ER Trouble-Shooting Prior position: Intellectual Access and Metadata Librarian 1.3 strong
- 16. Nadines Action Steps From First Self-Assessment Created a Resource Tracking Excel Workbook: Journals Serials Databases Acquired the language of acquisitions and Voyager Strengthened teamwork with the Unit Gained experience & practiced
- 17. Nadines Second Self-Assessment 1.1 Acquisitions: stronger (always more to learn) 1.2 Licensing: currently in process 1.5 Complex Records Management: stronger - added sections to Excel Workbook: Summary Fund Transfers & Special Credits Open Access Titles
- 18. Nadines Comments Regarding Second Self-Assessment 1.3 and 1.4 maintenance - keep current with standards and best practices 1.5 major focus for next year....UNTIL...Paula announced her acceptance of a new position... 1.2 Licensing + 1.5 Complex Records Need quick rise to strong competence in 2 months time! The Race is on...
- 19. Nadines Action Steps From Second Self-Assessment Signed up for the NASIG licensing workshop Viewed recent NASIG webinar on Streamlining license negotiations Reviewed prior ALCTS webinar on licensing Re-examined the Voyager Acquisitions Manual Started constructing Flow Charts to illustrate local Fund Structures and Workflows
- 20. Questions? Shade Aladebumoye - [email protected] Nadine Ellero - [email protected] Paula Sullenger - [email protected] Core Competencies Spreadsheets: Auburns first assessment results (based on June 2013 draft competencies) http://bit.ly/1rPszgo Approved version of Core Competencies http://bit.ly/1mesHr1 e_Grid.xlsx
