getting to know you academic community

Getting to Know Your Academic community; the Approach of New Science Librarians Figuring It Out!

Anna Stoute and Natalie Waters 2006

Welcome to McGill University

Large research-intensive university 13 branch libraries Macdonald Campus Library Schulich Library of Science and

Engineering

Melting of hiring freeze

1993-2001 number of librarians dropped from 85 to 59

2001 “Contrat de Performance” Hiring resumes

Hiring gap occurs

Hiring Gap Consequences

Experienced librarians retiring New librarians taking over positions

with no one to train them Everyone knows that approach

New librarians expected to know university structure and procedures

Our expectations versus reality

Formal orientation Informal Self-orientation

Faculty Support Old habits are hard to break Very minimal awareness of library

services

Making our own path

Introducing ourselves to our departments

Talking to students Implementing new programs New approach to advertising

So, in retrospect…

Lack of formal training program Lack of faculty support Our lack of professional experience

More outreach Open to ideas Eager to learn Always looking for ways to improve

Where are we today ? Strong relations with faculty and

students Familiar with university and library

structure and procedures But, as we all know

A librarian’s ultimate goal is to provide anytime, anywhere service to their clients.

Therefore, our job is never ending!

Thank you!

Any questions?

Contact information:Anna Stoute: anna.stoute@mcgill.caNatalie Waters:

natalie.waters@mcgill.ca