The
COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the career path of academic librarians
in countless ways, from the library science master’s program to entry
into a new job. In this presentation, two entry-level business
librarians at the same institution point to the similarities and
differences of their respective paths. Special attention will be given
to how the pandemic shaped their approach to their current positions.
The authors describe expectations framed by the novelty of the
profession and how their master’s program prepared them for their roles
in regard to collection development.
Throughout
the presentation, the authors will reflect on the collection
development training that they received during their master’s programs.
The authors will also discuss navigating entering this profession during
a time of budget constraints. The authors identify business and
communications disciplines as ones that rely on large-scale and highly
expensive subscriptions. These subscriptions are often requested by
faculty and students indicating preference for specific brands. The
authors had the opportunity to learn from their colleagues about how to
creatively maximize existing resources due to these constraints,
emphasizing the importance of learning on the job. These strategies
include reviewing enhancements to subscriptions and products, reviewing
and updating libguides, and collaborating on cancellation or renewal
policies with immediate colleagues and peer institutions.
This
piece aims to provide new insights and hopes to inspire further
research on what can be done to support entry-level business librarians
in making informed collection development decisions.
The
COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the career path of academic librarians
in countless ways, from the library science master’s program to entry
into a new job. In this presentation, two entry-level business
librarians at the same institution point to the similarities and
differences of their respective paths. Special attention will be given
to how the pandemic shaped their approach to their current positions.
The authors describe expectations framed by the novelty of the
profession and how their master’s program prepared them for their roles
in regard to collection development.
Throughout
the presentation, the authors will reflect on the collection
development training that they received during their master’s programs.
The authors will also discuss navigating entering this profession during
a time of budget constraints. The authors identify business and
communications disciplines as ones that rely on large-scale and highly
expensive subscriptions. These subscriptions are often requested by
faculty and students indicating preference for specific brands. The
authors had the opportunity to learn from their colleagues about how to
creatively maximize existing resources due to these constraints,
emphasizing the importance of learning on the job. These strategies
include reviewing enhancements to subscriptions and products, reviewing
and updating libguides, and collaborating on cancellation or renewal
policies with immediate colleagues and peer institutions.
This
piece aims to provide new insights and hopes to inspire further
research on what can be done to support entry-level business librarians
in making informed collection development decisions.
