Exploring the Culture of Engagement for Liaison Librarians at a Research University

Outreach and engagement activities are increasingly central to the work of liaison librarians. This qualitative study explores the culture of engagement at the University of Illinois. Based on a series of interviews, the authors learned what types of outreach and engagement activities are happening across units, the barriers and motivations for undertaking these activities, how engagement is assessed, and the needs of librarians doing engagement in order to further their work. This research advocate for a broader culture shift in which professional values will better align with the practices of liaison librarians.