The document summarizes a presentation on models of embedded librarianship. It defines embedded librarianship as involving specialized domain knowledge, co-location with information users outside the library, and shared goals with a user group. A research study on embedded librarians found they acquire domain expertise through continuous learning. Successful programs are indicated by increasing demand, services, and staffing over time. Key factors for success include promoting services, systematically evaluating impacts, and strong management support and communication between librarians and their user groups.
I would not bring in all the detail about response rate until later.Phase 1: mention pilot test of survey and adjustment
3000: size of random sample sufficient to represent the SLA populationResponse rate provides a confidence level of 95% +/-3.2%
Use the data to present a profile of an embedded services program and an embedded librarianWe found that programs are on the whole: AdaptableWidespreadWell Established
The embedded library model is widespread (perhaps a testament to its flexibility), represented in all 17 of the industry types in our survey. Chart on the right shows the top 5 industries in which embedded librarians are found. largest proportion are in Educational Institutions, followed by legal, financial, professional With the Exception of Education – at 28% - Numbers didn’t clump in any one industry,. Otherwise numbers are spread fairly evenly across the remaining 16 industry types. We found that there is no correlation between providing specialized services and industry type. In other words, you’re not more likely to find embedded librarians in one industry category than an another.[Embedded Librarians Survey 1 Analysis, 8/22/09, pg8]This indicates that an embedded library services model can be (and is) implemented in any industry category – not specific to one or another
Flexible, widespread, and established are signs of a strong and vital programs.
75% are in programs that have been existence for 7 or more years. [Survey 2 Crosstabs, pg.2]The majority of embedded librarians are in long-lived, stable programs and most have been in their positions in a equal amount of time. Mildly surprised to discovery that Most of our embeddeds are in programs that have been in existence for 10 years or more44% in positions and programs 7+ yearsMildly surprising finding: most programs and positions have been around much longer than we had thought: 56% said specialized information services provided within organization 10+ years; [Survey Monkey, Survey 2, Q40, filtered results, completed]Growth – not set up to measure change over time. Did ask about change within last 2 years (Note surveys took place before and just as economy soured. Findings may not reflect thisCan’t tell from survey data whether Els in new positions and old programs are in positions, new to the program or are filling existing positionsOnly evidence for growth is: new to position/new programsModest growth: : Survey 2 CrossTabs, 5/20/09, pg.2Embedded Librarians staying in their positions: Most have been in position long timeNot a lot of new positions
Embedded librarians are known for their depth of knowledgeable in their customer groups’ domains. Our survey bears that out. One question: How much knowledge is necessary to be successful in these positions and how do they acquire it? We suspected we would find a high occurrence of degrees in related areas and a significant relationship between subject degrees and success factors. We didn’t. We did find was that 80% are professionals with masters degrees in library and information science (not usually the other way around) who learned on the job (50% have 5+ years of related work experience). Take advantage of learning opportunities and 80% reported by taking classes, attending conferences in customers domain (80%).Seeing a strong relationship between longevity of programs (either within the org or to individual customer groups) and longevity of positions and educational and training support and of CE - the longer the specialized services have been provided , the more likely the respondent is to receive remuneration: release time, conferences in a related field, tuition. The longer the # of years in a position, the more likely an embedded is to receive a certification in a related field. [Embedded Librarians Survey 2 Analysis, pgs 6-9]; [Response to questions on Phase II draft: Measures of Success vsEduction, pg1] We don’t know why – there are so many correlations that something is going on. Hypothesis: self-reinforcing – prove the value of having knowledgable librarians Slightly less than half have (44%) have an undergraduate degree in a related field, and less than a quarter have a post-bachelor’s degree. We didn’t find any correlation between our specific success factors and education. [Embedded Librarians Survey 2 Analysis, pgs 6-9]; [Response to questions on Phase II draft: Measures of Success vsEduction, pg1]In fact, we did find a strong negative correlation between how successful the respondent rated the delivery of services and whether they had a degree in progress: most didn’t have a degree in progress and still rated the service as very successful[Embedded Librarians Survey 2 Analysis, pgs 6-7, r=0.24523, p=0.0084]
10 categories of interactions with customersRanged from – 4 categories re meeting with customer group members and leaders to inform themselves re customers work , share information, learn about information needs3 categories re service-related interactions : training, collaborating on work2 categories re social interactions, lunch or other social events 1 question re management interactionsWhat we learned: Embedded librarians interact with customers to understand information needs, contribute to work product, and to stay abreast of current work/projects, learn about their domain [Embedded Librarians Survey 1 Results, Draft, 8/22/08, pg 30 – 31]
Interactions - # and level – top 5 categories with the highest frequency of responses [Embedded Librarians Survey 1 Results, Draft, 8/22/08, pg 30 – 31]Interactions that happen with some frequency - what’s noticeable: 4 out 5 are reciprocal interactions (EL is not delivering a service), typical of any group/team member, and are the kind of interactions that are as likely to be initiated by the embedded as by the customer. Number type and frequency indicate strong, collegial relationships with customer groups. nteractions and effects on other areas – found a number of correlations between these connections b0th Survey 1 and 2 and other areas: A number of success markers related to interactions (Dave will talk)
Survey 2: respondents reported an increase in demand for services that has a significant correlation with type of work/services offered. The demand – service correlation is centered around value-added work, such as evaluating, synthesizng literature and data analysis.
Mix of Sophisticated service Top 5: In-depth topical research, information resource development, current awareness – doing high-value and routine work; Service type related [not strongly] with increase in demand: Correlation (but not strong) between in increase in demand for service and In-depth Topical Research and information resource development[Correlations between S1Q2:Organization Type and S2, Q18 and 21, pg3, r=0.21160, p=0.0245). Not establishing cause and effect here, but noting that there is a relationship existent. Type of connection/interactions related to demandConnections and Services: Self generating work: demand increases, services increase Survey 2: Positive relationship between an increase in the # of libns serving a single customer group and increase in demand (decrease in both) but demand goes up faster than the numbers increase [Embedded Librarianship Research Project – Phase II, date, pg.2]
While For-Profit organizations outweigh Academic orgs in all of these relationship building activities; Other org types also outweigh Academic in a number of these individual activities. Example: collaborate on or contribute to your customer group’s work, all 3 org types outweigh Academic in the likelhood that they will perform this activity)
While For-Profit organizations outweigh Academic orgs in all of these relationship building activities; Other org types also outweigh Academic in a number of these individual activities. Example: collaborate on or contribute to your customer group’s work, all 3 org types outweigh Academic in the likelhood that they will perform this activity)