The Evolution of Academic Branch Libraries

Before the advent of the electronic revolution, academic branch libraries on extended campuses existed as separate facilities that housed limited holdings. Patrons would browse the minimal book and journal stacks and then request materials from the main library as well as through standard interlibrary loan. Technological advances are now making it possible for branch libraries to mirror their main library in terms of information retrieval as more and more materials are made available on the Internet.

These technological advances first began in the form of online bibliographic databases. This made it easier for patrons to find out what materials they needed, but only forced more requests to be sent to the main library. Eventually, CD-ROMs and some full-text and full-image databases meant that more resources were immediately available. It remained, however, dependent on the branch library subscribing to complete and separate CD-ROM collections and online databases, regardless of what the main library held. It was not until the rise of the World Wide Web that branch libraries were able to take advantage of all the same electronic resources the main library subscribed to, or organized into their Web site.

The branch library has now become more powerful than ever. Indeed, it is much easier to develop these libraries and support their growth, thereby improving research capabilities for their patrons. However, the job of the branch librarian is still, and always shall be, a complex and multi-tasking atmosphere. There are two main areas of branch library development that their librarians are responsible for: library resources and management of the library.

Branch Library Resources

It would be ideal for branch libraries to have exactly the same resources as the main library. Obviously, however, the nature of the branch simply cannot support the same amount of financial obligations. With the Web, branch libraries can have the same electronic access. It is now a simple matter of setting up a few terminals with Internet access to provide a link to the main campus. Branch librarians can take it a step further and design their own Web site. Besides the standard obligatory information, such as hours, services, contacts and so on, they may wish to organize a page of links more relevant to the needs of that particular branch (most branches do not offer the same number of degrees as their main campus) as an option instead of going straight to the main library Web site. As more and more resources are available over the Web, the branches will more closely equal the main campus.

Some print resources are still highly important to academic research. Branch libraries still have to have reference books, circulating books and print journals. This takes some coordination with the main library. Because the circulating book collection and the print journal collection will always be small at a branch, they must rely heavily on the main library for these resources. Quick turn around time is important for sending materials that patrons need. Furthermore, interlibrary loan of these types of materials also must be handled quickly. In all, there is only one true area where the branch library must be completely independent: reference books. Reference books are needed for immediate access. Patrons cannot wait for reference materials to arrive from the main library (and due to their non-circulating nature are usually not sent anyway), cannot be ordered through interlibrary loan and, if not available over the Web, must be available within the library and on the shelves.

Branch librarians must, therefore, provide electronic access to resources available at the main library; as well as house some circulating books, journals and a good collection of reference books; and provide access to more materials at the main library and through interlibrary loan.

Library Management

The most important aspect of the branch librarian is the entire realm of library management. As collection development (electronic and print) rely so heavily on the main library, the branch librarian needs to deal with every other aspect of library life. While this may sound a bit broad, it is. The branch library cannot be managed from a distance. It requires someone to be

*Odin L. Jurkowski, Library Director, Saint Anthony College of Nursing, Rockford; formerly Head Librarian, Louis W. Biegler Library, Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus, Illinois Institute of Technology, Wheaton.

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there day in and day out to handle small as well as large tasks. They need to physically be there to hire and oversee part-time staff, help with their development and bring a sense of cohesion among all personnel. Indeed, cohesion is important to not only the library itself, but to the rest of the branch campus. It truly is a multidisciplinary job that requires the librarian to take on a number of varying responsibilities.

Some of the large responsibilities include handling the library budget. The librarian must determine the share of the budget to be split between electronic resources and print resources, computer supplies and upgrades, office supplies, money for conferences and workshops for professional development, general library upkeep and so on.

They must handle the maintenance of the Web site, make sure the computers are running properly and handle any problems that arise. The physical facilities need to be maintained, ranging from copier problems to the maintenance of study areas to the upkeep of chairs and tables.

The librarian must handle reference, circulation, bibliographic instruction, research consultation and be a faculty liaison. They must handle all communication between libraries for an open flow of dialog. Furthermore, they must take that communication initiative since it will break down without the persistence of the branch librarian. The main campus often forgets about the branch libraries and, therefore, the branch needs to take charge. Additionally, there must be maintained a complete and accurate record of inter-library loan transactions. Again, the main library can not be left alone to be responsible for handling all requests correctly and promptly. The branch must oversee and insure all transactions are being dealt with.

To a larger extent, however, the branch librarian is responsible for being a representative of the institution, the sole librarian overseeing the branch library being the only interface its partons come in contact with. All aspects of library service, good and bad, come through a single individual with many hats. They must publicize the library and make aware its offering to the patrons.

Conclusion

As branch libraries rely more heavily on electronic resources, branch librarians depend even more so on the main library for research materials. However, this change is making immediate access to materials more prevalent, and allowing the branch librarian a smaller task of collection development. On the other hand, the job of the branch librarian is becoming even more important. Electronic resources require librarians to assist patrons even more. Assistance is needed to select the correct database, navigate through it and retrieve relevant information.

Librarians also are needed to run the library. Only someone who is there day-to-day to see what the patrons need can truly provide the best service. Just as the main library needs a director, reference staff, technical services staff, circulation and interlibrary loan staff, and network services staff, the branch library needs a branch librarian to fill all those shoes. A jack of all trades, the branch librarian truly relies on a broad range of experiences and commands a large number of responsibilities.

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