Changing Titles, Changing Duties: Restructuring the Role of the Serials Librarian for an Electronic Future

• Published in: Journal of electronic resources in medical libraries 2005-09, Vol.2 (2), p.59-68
• Main Authors: Obrig, Kathe S., Thompson, Jolinda L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electronic journals; Electronic periodicals; Exact sciences and technology; George Washington University Medical Center; Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Information service management; Library and documentation centre management; Library staff; Medical school libraries; Organizational management. Staff and equipment management; Periodicals; position descriptions; recruitment; Sciences and techniques of general use; serials librarianship; University libraries; USA; Washington, DC
• ISSN: 1542-4065; 1542-4073
• DOI: 10.1300/J383v02n02_06

An anticipated change in the proportion of print and electronic serial titles held at the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, coinciding with a vacancy in the Serials Librarian position, prompted Himmelfarb staff to re-examine the position's responsibilities and duties. In an effort to relieve the burden of managing an exploding number of electronic resources on the existing Electronic Resources and Instructional Librarian, electronic serials management was redistributed to the Serials Librarian. This paper discusses the environment leading to the change, the process of restructuring the position description, and the outcomes after the hire of a Print and Electronic Serials Librarian.