Speaker
Ms
Marieta Buys
(North-West University( Potchestroom Campus)
Description
Alignment of the development plan of the subject librarian with the information needs of the academic staff: A case study of North -West University.
Changes and demands in the working environment of the professional librarian create opportunities for improving, evaluating and reviewing their skills and knowledge. All these factors are important for excellent information delivery and the growth of the library profession.
In order to successfully improve, evaluate and review skills and knowledge a personal development plan is of the utmost importance. It gives structure and measurable criteria in reaching the goal of information delivery.
Another important element is building partnerships with stakeholders. The strategic plan of the institution and the user’s expectations and needs must be taken into account when prioritising and planning action for skills development.
In the case of the academic library the librarian’s skills and services must align with the mission of the University and other stakeholders, such as students, researchers, vendors and academic staff members.
To aid mentors and new subject librarians in the task of aligning a skills development plan and services to the expectations and needs of the faculty a variety of tools can be use. Assessment tools such as the strategic plan, research profiles, Lib-Qual and customised questionnaires are used to analyse the information needs and expectations of the academic faculty staff and the subject librarians.
The case study will focus on the “School for Social and Government studies” at the North-West University, Potchefstoom Campus. Results will be plotted on the Treetops Grid to identify areas that needs attention. Skills needed for the subject librarian will be incorporated into an action- and personal development plan.
Primary author
Ms
Marieta Buys
(North-West University( Potchestroom Campus)
Co-author
Mrs
Suzette Coetzee
(North-West University( Potchestroom Campus)
