Trusted Librarian: Corporate Service Models Build Collaborative Academic Partnerships

Authors

  • Tina Franks The Ohio State University

Keywords:

Trust, Collaboration, Engagement

Abstract

As we compete in the global market of information providers, libraries can advance by better understanding how corporations conduct business and provide services.  According to the principles discussed in Trusted Advisor (Maister, 2000), constituents may value trust more than discipline expertise.  Business books often discuss trust-building, which is viewed as a necessity for building professional success.  Discipline expertise is a valuable commodity, but librarians who fail to build trust with constituents may struggle to engage them.  Trusted Librarian is a best practices piece that identifies successful trust-building techniques that cultivate collaborative partnerships between librarian and constituent.

Author Biography

Tina Franks, The Ohio State University

I bring a unique perspective to the profession since I have experience working in public, corporate and academic libraries as a MLS librarian for more than 23 years.  During my 15-year SLA membership, I have transferred between divisions to reflect the changing needs of my users and to align with library strategic plans and initiatives.  My prior work experience includes public and technical services, branch and corporate library management and currently, I am the Head of the Architecture Library at The Ohio State University with a rank of Assistant Professor. As a subject liaison, I directly support architecture, landscape architecture, city/regional planning disciplines but also have experience providing research services in the areas of civil engineering, geology, hydrology, environmental science and other engineering design firm disciplines. I have a BA in English from Otterbein College and an MLS from Kent State University.  My research areas include branch libraries, librarian mobility and customer service models including using techniques from corporate America in academic libraries to build customer trust, build professional success, and create library sustainability.

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Published

2016-11-07

Issue

Section

Articles