Becoming a solo librarian may be a daunting prospect. From collections to cataloguing, classifying to copyright, whether the individual is a solo librarian, within a small team with limited help, or working in a larger library or information hub, the range of tasks involved will remain the same.
Whilst being a solo librarian does have its fair share of challenges that can include juggling multiple tasks and time management, marketing and embracing the ever-changing technologies and upcoming social media channels, and effectively managing the feeling of being isolated, there are also many advantages.
With the author having been through the education process and gained work experience, information professionals will have already picked up many transferrable skills and identified some key aspects when it comes to accessing, using, and running a library. By being intellectually curious, embracing ever-changing technologies, enjoying learning and knowledge creation, and working alongside non-library colleagues, it is likely that information professionals are organised, can manage their time effectively, enjoy helping others by sharing and promoting library and information services, and will stay engaged as a team of one.
As a solo librarian herself and a book not being available on the topic, she has decided to write one – which covers the lessons learnt, and templates created in order to assist others) that find themselves in a similar role &/or a small team with limited help.
This Internationally applicable and practical handbook will follow a yearly planner and shows a timeline of key activities that happen throughout, in this instance, an academic year and include the following examples:
Appendices will include a condensed version of ‘Lucy the Librarian top tips for successful solo librarianship’ (Note: Chapter 4 of the publication will expand on key elements and provide contextual examples) as well as providing templates and guidance notes that will be made available to download and used to aid those working in information, knowledge, libraries and related disciplines, whether based within the UK or around the world.
The idea behind this practical handbook, therefore, is to provide guidance and templates to cover:
1. Chapter 1 A personal introduction from a solo librarian - p. 1 2. Chapter 2 Reviewing the literature on solo librarianship and identifying key roles and responsibilities - p. 15 3. Chapter 3 Library and information services - p. 51 4. Chapter 4 Top tips for successful solo librarianship - p. 79 5. Chapter 5 Research and benchmarking - p. 131 6. Chapter 6 Delphi exercise and case studies (incl. International) - p. 163 7. Chapter 7 Access and identity management - p. 215 8. Chapter 8 Library developments - p. 229 9. Chapter 9 Accessibility - p. 251 10. Chapter 10 Copyright - p. 263 11. Chapter 11 Marketing and communications - p. 297 12. Chapter 12 Book conclusion, looking forward and the future of libraries - p. 329 13. Appendix introduction - p. 358 14. Appendix 1 – The solo librarian yearly timeline/planner - p. 363 15. Appendix 2 – Lucy the librarian's top tips for solo librarianship - p. 371 16. Appendix 3 – Job specification examples - p. 377 17. Appendix 4 – Structure: The sections that make up the library - p. 393 18. Appendix 5 – Library guidance note example - p. 398 19. Appendix 6 – Resource request form (acquisitions) - p. 406 20. Appendix 7 – Library resources: Operational processes - p. 409 21. Appendix 8 – Library resources: Financial management - p. 411 22. Appendix 9 – Accessibility statement for the e-Library - p. 414 23. Appendix 10 – Intellectual property (IP) - p. 420 24. Appendix 11 – Copyright request permission forms - p. 453 25. Appendix 12 – Copyright coversheets - p. 458 26. Appendix 13 – Copyright process, flowchart and risk register - p. 465 27. Appendix 14 – Copyright reporting: Manual process - p. 473 28. Appendix 15 Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system - p. 477 29. Appendix 16 – e-Library Tailor-Made Research Report (TMRR) example - p. 503 30. Appendix 17 – e-Library reading list example (literature searching) – Future of libraries and library services - p. 533 31. Appendix 18 – Marketing and promotion examples - p. 549 32. Appendix 19 – Library developments (Padlet noticeboard) - p. 567 33. Appendix 20 – Data retention and disposal schedule - p. 570 34. Appendix 21 – Research ethics: Information sheet, consent and approval form(s) and checklist template - p. 580 35. Appendix 22 – Key organizations for library, information and knowledge professionals (in the UK and Internationally) - p. 593 36. Appendix 23 – Glossary of terms – Identity and access management glossary for librarians - p. 612 37. Bibliography and further reading - p. 615 38. Index - p. 635
Becoming a solo librarian may be a daunting prospect. From collections to cataloguing, classifying to copyright, whether the individual is a solo librarian, within a small team with limited help, or working in a larger library or information hub, the range of tasks involved will remain the same.
Whilst being a solo librarian does have its fair share of challenges that can include juggling multiple tasks and time management, marketing and embracing the ever-changing technologies and upcoming social media channels, and effectively managing the feeling of being isolated, there are also many advantages.
With the author having been through the education process and gained work experience, information professionals will have already picked up many transferrable skills and identified some key aspects when it comes to accessing, using, and running a library. By being intellectually curious, embracing ever-changing technologies, enjoying learning and knowledge creation, and working alongside non-library colleagues, it is likely that information professionals are organised, can manage their time effectively, enjoy helping others by sharing and promoting library and information services, and will stay engaged as a team of one.
As a solo librarian herself and a book not being available on the topic, she has decided to write one – which covers the lessons learnt, and templates created in order to assist others) that find themselves in a similar role &/or a small team with limited help.
This Internationally applicable and practical handbook will follow a yearly planner and shows a timeline of key activities that happen throughout, in this instance, an academic year and include the following examples:
Appendices will include a condensed version of ‘Lucy the Librarian top tips for successful solo librarianship’ (Note: Chapter 4 of the publication will expand on key elements and provide contextual examples) as well as providing templates and guidance notes that will be made available to download and used to aid those working in information, knowledge, libraries and related disciplines, whether based within the UK or around the world.
The idea behind this practical handbook, therefore, is to provide guidance and templates to cover:
1. Chapter 1 A personal introduction from a solo librarian - p. 1 2. Chapter 2 Reviewing the literature on solo librarianship and identifying key roles and responsibilities - p. 15 3. Chapter 3 Library and information services - p. 51 4. Chapter 4 Top tips for successful solo librarianship - p. 79 5. Chapter 5 Research and benchmarking - p. 131 6. Chapter 6 Delphi exercise and case studies (incl. International) - p. 163 7. Chapter 7 Access and identity management - p. 215 8. Chapter 8 Library developments - p. 229 9. Chapter 9 Accessibility - p. 251 10. Chapter 10 Copyright - p. 263 11. Chapter 11 Marketing and communications - p. 297 12. Chapter 12 Book conclusion, looking forward and the future of libraries - p. 329 13. Appendix introduction - p. 358 14. Appendix 1 – The solo librarian yearly timeline/planner - p. 363 15. Appendix 2 – Lucy the librarian's top tips for solo librarianship - p. 371 16. Appendix 3 – Job specification examples - p. 377 17. Appendix 4 – Structure: The sections that make up the library - p. 393 18. Appendix 5 – Library guidance note example - p. 398 19. Appendix 6 – Resource request form (acquisitions) - p. 406 20. Appendix 7 – Library resources: Operational processes - p. 409 21. Appendix 8 – Library resources: Financial management - p. 411 22. Appendix 9 – Accessibility statement for the e-Library - p. 414 23. Appendix 10 – Intellectual property (IP) - p. 420 24. Appendix 11 – Copyright request permission forms - p. 453 25. Appendix 12 – Copyright coversheets - p. 458 26. Appendix 13 – Copyright process, flowchart and risk register - p. 465 27. Appendix 14 – Copyright reporting: Manual process - p. 473 28. Appendix 15 Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system - p. 477 29. Appendix 16 – e-Library Tailor-Made Research Report (TMRR) example - p. 503 30. Appendix 17 – e-Library reading list example (literature searching) – Future of libraries and library services - p. 533 31. Appendix 18 – Marketing and promotion examples - p. 549 32. Appendix 19 – Library developments (Padlet noticeboard) - p. 567 33. Appendix 20 – Data retention and disposal schedule - p. 570 34. Appendix 21 – Research ethics: Information sheet, consent and approval form(s) and checklist template - p. 580 35. Appendix 22 – Key organizations for library, information and knowledge professionals (in the UK and Internationally) - p. 593 36. Appendix 23 – Glossary of terms – Identity and access management glossary for librarians - p. 612 37. Bibliography and further reading - p. 615 38. Index - p. 635
