Models of Librarian and Teaching Faculty Relationships

Abstract

Librarians’ relationships with teaching faculty are a critical component of library success in connecting users to resources and providing engaging services. However, many librarians report challenges relating to teaching faculty. Librarians should proactively manage their relationships with teaching faculty as both sides share the goal of enhancing student learning and research. When collaborations are successful, the users/students benefit most. Librarians should start their outreach by ensuring faculty are aware of collections and services. Then, they can work on better identifying teaching faculty needs and interests. The hard, and ongoing, work of building these relations comes as librarians develop their communication skills, understand teaching faculty as library patrons, strategize the next steps in the relationship, foster mutual trust, and leverage their complementary expertise. Librarians that have good working relationships with teaching faculty at their institutions are better able to contribute to their library's mission and enrich student learning and research.