Subject Liaison Versus Functional Library Service Models in Academic Libraries: A Narrative Review

Salmon, Marcia Subject Liaison Versus Functional Library Service Models in Academic Libraries: A Narrative Review., 2024 [Preprint]

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English abstract

Objective: The primary objective of this article is to determine what is the available evidence in the library and information science literature on subject liaison library service model and the functional library service model in academic libraries in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States of America. Methods: This article uses a narrative review methodology to examine the qualitative themes of both the subject liaison and the functional library service model in academic libraries in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States of America from 2009-2024. Library and Information Science databases were searched using a “keyword search strategy” and the results were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The themes were determined from the data extraction process for included research studies. Results: As reported using the PRISMA flowchart (figure 1), there were 141 records that were screened. After exclusion criteria were applied, 43 reports were assessed for eligibility to be included in this review. It was determined that 29 studies were included in this narrative review on subject liaison and functional academic library service models. The main themes identified in the literature were: academic libraries strategic alignment with affiliated institutions of higher education, restructuring of the academic library, team-based library services model (subject and functional librarian teams), relationship management, embedded librarianship, and new roles of liaison librarians. Conclusion: Academic libraries have increased pressure to better align with the strategic goals of the institution of higher education to which such libraries are affiliated. This alignment pressure often results in reorganization of academic libraries from a subject based library service model to a functional based library service model. The literature suggests that a highly effective service model is the blending of best practices from both the subject based library service model and the functional based library service model (hybrid model). This involves building teams comprising both subject liaison librarians and functional specialists. There obviously are advantages and disadvantages of both models and the most effective service delivery may depend on the individual academic library.

Item type: Preprint
Keywords: liaison librarians liaison librarianship functional library service model hybrid library service model academic libraries
Subjects: D. Libraries as physical collections. > DD. Academic libraries.
I. Information treatment for information services > IJ. Reference work.
Depositing user: Marcia Salmon
Date deposited: 01 May 2026 05:13
Last modified: 01 May 2026 05:13
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/47770

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