Librarian as Communicator: Case Studies and International Perspectives

As the information landscape evolves and takes shape using traditional and new platforms, it is the role of Academic Libraries to take the lead in communicating, developing and informing these changes in timely and relevant ways. Experienced librarians and those new to the field seek out innovative and more effective way to engage with users and stakeholders.

This book provides a variety of communication strategies for different user groups, taking into account the changing information landscape and the application and implications of social media developments. A major driver in higher education is the change in the scholarly communication model where initiatives such as Open Access, Institutional Repositories and Data Management are challenging previous practice whilst offering new opportunities for leadership. These communication developments provide opportunities for academic librarians who need the insight and awareness to take these chances.

Librarian as Communicator provides research-based explorations of the above topics, covering developing areas and also the communication skills that are needed for the academic library to have a continuing role in the 21st Century. It was originally published as a special issue of the journal New Review of Academic Librarianship.

Helen Fallon is Deputy University Librarian at Maynooth University, Ireland. She has published extensively and has presented workshops on academic writing in Ireland, the UK, the USA and Malaysia.

Graham Walton is Honorary Research Fellow in the Centre for Information Management at Loughborough University, UK, where he was Assistant Director (Academic and User Services) in the University Library until July 2016. He has 15 years’ experience as a journal editor and has published widely around management issues in libraries and the move to the digital world.