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The Evolving Role of the Solo Librarian

The Evolving Role of the Solo Librarian. AALL Annual Meeting 2008. Speakers . Lauri Flynn Gunderson Dettmer, LLP Silicon Valley, CA lflynn@gunder.com Julia Hughes Barley Snider, LLC Lancaster, PA jhughes@barley.com. How to do it ALL without losing your mind …!!.

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The Evolving Role of the Solo Librarian

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  1. The Evolving Role of the Solo Librarian AALL Annual Meeting 2008

  2. Speakers Lauri Flynn Gunderson Dettmer, LLP Silicon Valley, CA lflynn@gunder.com Julia Hughes Barley Snider, LLC Lancaster, PA jhughes@barley.com

  3. How to do it ALL without losing your mind …!!

  4. How do you define solo? • The only librarian in your organization: 73% • The only librarian supporting one more more offices, but part of a larger group: 22% • Other: 5% • Job sharing • Only law librarian in corporate setting, i.e. not grouped with other libraries

  5. The “Average” Solo Librarian in the Survey • Works for a law firm • Has no support staff – permanent or temps • Fewer than 75 attorneys • Supports 1-2 offices

  6. Has previous experience: as a solo as a team member in larger library as a manager or director of a library Reports to one or two persons or groups within the organization Works about 40-45 hours per week Tries to take vacation The “Average” Solo, cont. Manager

  7. The “Average” Solo, cont. • May have responsibility for other areas in the organization • Is active in professional organizations and their employer pays for membership • most belong to AALL • many belong to SLA (See the accompanying document for greater detailed responses to the survey questions which asked respondants about their organization, experience & background)

  8. Keeping Up

  9. Print Publications • AALL Spectrum • Law Library Journal • SLA Outlook • Local News

  10. Electronic Publications • LLRX.com • beSpacific • The Virtual Chase • Listservs / chapter newsletters PLL Perspectives!

  11. Reading Electronic Pubs • Manual • Email • RSS feeds • Web page monitoring

  12. Challenges

  13. Survey says… • Not enough time to do it all ... and well • Juggling research / clerical / managerial / marketing • Professional isolation / lonelinessNo peers to problem-solve or help with projects • Lack of coverage when out of office

  14. Benefits

  15. Benefits to Being Solo • Independence / Autonomy! • Flexibility in schedule, workload and pace • Variety – never a dull moment • Knowledge of everything in Library • Can implement own ideas ~ Be creative • No staff to supervise • No meetings

  16. Secrets of Success

  17. More Secrets for Solos • Become expert at time management • Simplify systems • Become expert at reference interview to find the shortest path to the correct answer • Learn how to delegate some tasks to others (i.e. teach them how to find the answer for next time) • Develop good organizational skills • Keep your focus • Set weekly goals and try to achieve them • Passion ! • Stay passionate about your work and what each day might bring • Remember, we have one of the most interesting jobs in the organization • Don’t sweat the small stuff • Details can often be overlooked or simplified • It doesn’t have to be perfect, just to work for your users

  18. Secrets, cont. • Think strategically (do what has the most impact first) • Market the Library and yourself – use “brazen self promotion” • Flexibility – ability to shift perspective as needed – go with the flow • Focus on current organizational priorities and be sure all efforts support those priorities. • Be proactive – send news & updates of info to attorneys & staff • Be creative in solutions • Be available for new responsibilities and challenges

  19. Secrets, cont. • Must have good people skills • Put the Customer first, i.e. Reference comes first • Sense of HUMOR • Survey your users often to be sure they appreciate your services • Smile & be approachable • Positive outlook • Talk to everyone to find out what’s going on • Help everyone from copy center to managing partner; be friendly to everyone no matter what their position • Network with other librarians for community & research help • Network with people in the firm • Be visible • Be willing to listen to all requests and help problem solve • Positive outlook – (attitude is everything…pick a good one!)

  20. A few more tips • Know when to go home and begin again in the morning and when to take a lunch break. • Ask for help when you need it • Set boundaries on what can be done & the time frame to accomplish the task. • Take all of your vacation – you are valuable but not indispensable! • Learn how to say no carefully • Keep a balanced life ! Exercise !

  21. We hope we’ve thrown a bit of help your way… ! Lifesaver by Audrey Heller www.audreyheller.com

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