Systematic Literature Review Informing LIS Professionals on Embedding Librarianship Roles
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
Purpose Embedded librarianship currently receives renewed interest worldwide, seeks to bring the library and the librarian to users in their work environment. This paper identifies and documents embedding librarianship roles as reported in the Library and Information Science (LIS) literature. Method A systematic literature review was conducted using methods promulgated by the Center for Reviews and Disseminations but adapted to the particular needs of this review. Various online databases were used. The search phrases used were: embedded librarianship, embedded librarians, blended librarian, integrated librarian, liaison librarian, information consultants, knowledge managers and subject librarians. For inclusion, an article need to contain substantive description of the identified role and/or activity performed in embedding library practices. Papers that did not describe an actual (rather than proposed) embedding librarianship role were excluded. In total 102 articles were retrieved, 55 were found suitable for the review. Findings The roles of embedded librarians were identified, especially in the context of service delivery, all of which reported to be applied to academic libraries. Information literacy instruction, research and other scholarly activities, distance and online learning as well as embedding in classrooms, were described as ways of ensuring successful embedding librarianship. Implications The roles reported in the literature should inform practicing librarians contemplating embedding practices, guide formal embedded librarianship programs, and encourage other librarians to consider new skills in support of embedding roles. Originality/value The paper is the first to develop systematic literature review on embedding librarianship roles and offers the reference list of those selected papers and identifying further papers. This paper is recommended to those interested in a holistic and temporal view of the topic.
Keywords
Embedded librarianship, Blended librarians, Integrated librarians: Liaison librarians, Roles of librarians
Divisions
Library
Funders
University of Malaya, Malaysia: (UMRG-RP001C-15HNE)
Publication Title
The Journal of Academic Librarianship
Volume
42
Issue
6
Publisher
Elsevier