Visualizing Academic Librarians: An Arts-informed Inquiry

Abstract

This research was undertaken by five librarians from Deakin University Library Australia as part of a professional development project. The objective was to collect qualitative data on the perceptions of librarians by academics and library colleagues from Deakin University. The ways in which academics perceive librarians, as well as how other library staff perceive librarians, are relatively under-explored areas. This study investigates the topic through an analysis of drawing and other visual representations, based on a study design that applied a visual, arts-based methodological approach. Participants were invited to focus groups where they were provided with a variety of craft materials, asked to create a visual representation of liaison librarians, then discuss their artifact. The data consists of twenty-eight artifacts, which were content analyzed, and semi-structured interview recordings, which were transcribed and analyzed for themes. Participants expressed liaison librarians positively, as helpers and connectors, as a gateway to knowledge, with complex and varied roles, as trusted sources, and as relationship builders. By drawing attention to these themes, the participants highlighted that liaison librarians are invaluable to Deakin University.

Introduction

The primary question investigated was ‘How do Deakin University academic staff perceive the role of liaison librarians?’ This investigation was conducted to collect and analyze data to better understand how academics at Deakin University perceive the role of librarians, regardless of whether they are faculty liaison or service desk based, and to help inform how liaison librarians at Deakin University undertake their role. Established in 1974, Deakin University is now Australia's seventh largest university with over 56,000 students enrolled in programs (Deakin University, 2017).

There have been few empirical studies on this topic. Similar studies tend to be anecdotal or applied, and focus on how librarians perceive themselves and define their identity as librarians, or are focused on reporting case studies, rather than how librarians are viewed by an important stakeholder. There are also few studies that invite academics to participate in qualitative research conducted by librarians. For this study, a limited number of library staff were also invited to participate, with the aim of better understanding how library staff view liaison librarians.

This research contributes towards understanding the perception of liaison librarians by academics. A potential benefit is to improve the approach taken by liaison librarians when they work with academics. There is also the potential for improved mutual understanding and relationship building. Long term benefits may include improved library support services, and an understanding of the needs of academics when liaison librarians approach them for collaboration.

This research will be of interest to academic librarians, specifically to inform communication and liaison librarian practices. The methodology used requires time and resources to replicate, but the outcomes are relevant and transferable to other academic libraries interested in communication strategies and working relationships between liaison librarians and academics.

Additionally, the study of personas, specifically work personas and work identity is an emerging research field within humanities and social sciences (Brannan, Parsons, & Priola, 2011; Gauntlett, 2007; Gauntlett & Holzwarth, 2006; Lee, 2015; Marshall & Barbour, 2015). Applying this angle to the researchers' roles as librarians was a useful investigation of the similarities and differences in our own perceptions of our work personas compared to the perceptions of academics.