Page 48 - DLIS406_ACADEMIC_LIBRARY_SYSTEM

Unit 5: Organizing

These roles and responsibilities often fall under the three “Ps”: “purpose,” “people,” and “process.” Notes
A purpose role would describe a group or division through some kind of function. For instance,
a “circulation” department is a functional group because people are expected to ensure the
effective circulation of materials. A people role focuses on a specific group. “Youth services”
would be a good example of a people-oriented role. A process role focuses on coordinating
among the different function and people roles. Human Resources are probably the most recognizable
“process” role.

5.3 Line and Staff Functions

A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which
is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information
needs. Typically, librarians work in a public or college library, an elementary or secondary
school media center, a library within a business or company, or another information-provision
agency like a hospital or law firm.

Did u know? Librarians may be categorized as a public, school, correctional, special,
independent or academic librarian.

5.3.1 Outline, Requirements and Positions

Traditionally, librarians have been associated with collections of books, as demonstrated by
the etymology of the word “librarian”. However, modern librarians deal with information in
many formats, including books, magazines, newspapers, audio recordings (both musical and
spoken-word), video recordings, maps, manuscripts, photographs and other graphic material,
bibliographic databases, web searching, and digital resources. Librarians often provide other
information services, including computer provision and training, coordination of public programs,
basic literacy education, and assistive equipment for people with disabilities, and help with
finding and using community resources.

5.3.2 Librarian Roles and Duties

Specific duties vary depending on the size and type of library. Olivia Crosby described librarians
as “Information experts in the information age”. Most librarians spend their time working in
one of the following areas of a library:
• Public service librarians work with the public, frequently at the reference desk of lending
libraries. Some specialize in serving adults or children. Children’s librarians provide
appropriate material for children at all age levels, include pre-readers, conduct specialized
programs and work with the children (and often their parents) to help foster interest and
competence in the young reader. (In larger libraries, some specialize in teen services,
periodicals, or other special collections.)
• Reference or research librarians help people doing research to find the information they
need, through a structured conversation called a reference interview. The help may take
the form of research on a specific question, providing direction on the use of databases
and other electronic information resources; obtaining specialized materials from other
sources; or providing access to and care of delicate or expensive materials. These services
are sometimes provided by other library staff that has been given a certain amount of
special training; some have criticized this trend.

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