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COMMUNICATION OF CONSTITUENT NEEDS BACK TO THE LIBRARY

The liaison is responsible for communicating departmental/programmatic needs to the library, and for serving as the link between the Northwestern community and library services.  Please consult a list of Northwestern library staff who can answer questions about different aspects of public services in the main library, SEL, Schaffner, Galter, and the Pritzker Legal Research Center. The liaisons’ disciplinary coordinators can also help with questions and concerns. Constituent needs include anything library-related:  space concerns, circulation services, collections, etc.

Promotion of Library Services to Faculty/ Students and Outreach Tools

Methods may include:

  • Email contact.  (See above, under “Getting Started”)
  • In-person department meetings and faculty meetings, if department permits this (See above, under “Getting Started”)
  • News in the library home page/newsletter
  • Development and distribution of promotional materials, in consultation with disciplinary coordinators and library public relations.
  • Hosting of special events in the library
  • Specialized training sessions, both in the library and in the department
  • Research consultations
  • Special services for new faculty (tours, reception)
  • Hosting a blog or a wiki
  • Becoming a faculty fellow with an undergraduate residential college (see your disciplinary coordinator for more information)

As with other areas of liaison work, the chosen method depends on the department being served, and the individual liaison.  A few tips:

Promotional Materials
If you are interested in developing promotional materials designed specifically for your department, please consult with your disciplinary coordinator.  See Appendix for a list of promotional materials that are currently available and those that are under development.

Hosting of Special Events 
If you have ideas for special events or wish to explore a new program, please consult your disciplinary coordinator.  All ideas are welcome.  Examples may include:

  • offering office hours in the home department
  • hosting a brown bag on a topic of interest to the department
  • special instructional session either in the library or in the department
  • specialized instructional sessions hosted with another selector, on a topic of inter-disciplinary interest
  • specially designed library tours
  • working with groups outside the library, or even outside the university community, to bring special services or events to the library

Special Services for New Faculty
New faculty may be interested in special tours of the library, and in learning about the new faculty fund.  Subject specialists can also offer to give library tours to job candidates, by contacting the department/program chair.


For questions, contact:

Harriet Lightman
Head, Academic Liaison Services
Northwestern University Library
1970 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208-2300
h-lightman@northwestern.edu
(847) 491-2920
Office Location: Room 2622, 2nd Floor, East Tower, Main Library

Last updated: 11/04/08

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