Staffing Standards and Core Competencies in Academic Art and Architecture Departmental Libraries

Abstract

The nature of academic departmental libraries frequently requires that professional, paraprofessional and student staff perform a variety of overlapping job functions. Literature is reviewed regarding staffing standards in academic departmental libraries and the blurring of responsibilities between professional and paraprofessional staff. The author presents results from a survey of heads of academic art and architecture libraries. The survey focused on differing levels of staff in art and architecture libraries, types of training received, and core competencies in library skills and resources for employees at the various levels. The survey was not intended to produce conclusive results, but rather to gain information, explore trends, offer observations, and provide clarification of topics that could be considered in further research.