UNSW Library's Outreach Librarian Service: what they need before they want it!

At the end of 2006 the UNSW Library restructured its five special libraries into a new division called the Information Services Department. It was a radical restructure and provides a new model through which the Library delivers services in both the physical and online environments in a flexible and proactive manner. A pivotal role within this new structure is the Outreach Service delivered by a team which has primary responsibility for developing strong relationships with Faculties and Research Centres. Each faculty has been assigned a contact librarian who is available to provide information, organise service delivery, give presentations, listen to concerns and work through issues in relation to library services and content. By arranging one-on-one consultations or calls with the academy, attending School meetings and other special faculty meetings and giving presentations to groups of academics, close relationships are fostered between the Library and the academy so that the Library can better align its services and content to the UNSW research and teaching cycles. Benefits of the Outreach Service are outlined here.