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Basic Technical IVT Commonly tested

Liaison Librarian

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈliːeɪzɑn ˈlaɪbreriən/

A subject specialist who serves as the primary contact between the library and an academic department or user community. Liaison librarians provide targeted research support, conduct instruction, and gather feedback to inform collection development.

Plain English

A librarian who specializes in a particular subject area and works closely with a specific academic department to support research and teaching.

Etymology & History

Origin languageFrench
Rootliaison (connection between groups) + librarian (library professional)
First recorded use1970s
Usage frequencyCommon

Usage

"The liaison librarian for the biology department collaborated with faculty to create research guides and recommend specialized databases."

Style guide notes: Capitalize 'Liaison Librarian' when referencing the specific job title or role.

Also known as

subject librarian embedded librarian departmental librarian

Contrasted with

generalist librarian remote librarian

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

What services do liaison librarians typically provide?

Services include research consultations, course-integrated instruction, collection development advice, and departmental outreach and communication.

How do I contact my subject liaison librarian?

Most academic libraries provide a directory on their website listing liaison librarians by subject area or department affiliation.

Why Test Candidates on This?

Important for understanding specialized library roles and user-centered service models in academic institutions.

Required skill level: Mid

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