From the Outside In:Using Environmental Scanning for Evidence-based Planning by Alexandra Simons, Irene Ke, Loretta Wallace-Univ. of Houston
Paper given at ACRL (2013) from University of Houston librarians (see their survey documents on TRACS)
Good practical advice on designing surveys and interview questions. They used these methods to conduct scans in history, social work, business departments. Good tables of results and examples of survey/interview questions.
Outreach: What works? by Essinger and Ke (2013) Collaborative Librarianship 52-58. - University of Houston
Environmental scans focused on outreach efforts by University of Houston librarians were conducted in 2007. This article is a 5-year checkup report. Findings are that strategy for outreach is essential but different between departments/disciplines. Keys are building relationships, which takes time. Results showed it usually took 3-5 years before the faculty would accept the librarian as part of the research team. The more time the librarian spent in the department, the sooner this happened in most cases. Librarians need to have the freedom to “steer their own ship” in responding to the needs of their departments. Liaisons must go to the faculty to build relationships and communicate in a variety of ways. Mobility and flexibility are the keys to successful outreach.
Written for the Duke University Libraries by "The Task Force on Subject Librarian Re-visioning" comprised of seven members/authors. It covers best practices of subject librarian liaisons. The areas covered are engagement, teaching and learning, research services, collection development, digital tools, scholarly communication, technical services, exhibits, fundraising, and outreach beyond the institution. The emphasis is on developing objective metrics that accurately measure current stakeholder needs as well as anticipating future developments.
Library Laison Models - Bowling Green State University libguide.
Literature review of fifteen articles about subject liaisons at academic libraries. The libguide authors ask readers of the this collection of literature to determine which models work and what are the duties of the liaisons.
Environmental Scanning: Discover What is Happening Outside of the Library Doors
Presented at the 2006 ILFA conference in Seoul, Korea. It explains the need for environmental scanning. By doing a scan, you serve the current needs of your patrons as well as anticipating their future needs. The author defines the former as microclimate and the latter as macroclimate.
Starts on p. 7
Rusa Environmental Scan Strategies:
Goal: A librarian monitors the most relevant information sources to routinely update knowledge of current developments in reference and user services.
Strategies:
Reads, views, and listens to media to keep current in areas of knowledge relevant to primary users.
Attends exhibits at local, regional, or national professional conferences at least once a year when the institution provides support.
Scans the environment for emerging technologies that are relevant to delivery of reference and user services.
Keeps current on new information resources by consulting a wide variety of reviewing sources and publishers catalogs, including those of small presses, by attending professional meetings, by reading, viewing, and listening.
Reads reviews in both print and online media concerning works in all formats of greatest interest to primary users.
TRACS site