I just finished reading a report called Working together: evolving value for academic libraries, and found it a good read.
Presenting the results of several surveys, the authors describe the areas in which academic libraries have traditionally attempted to demonstrate value (embedded teaching), and the areas in which they should probably start putting more focus (research support).
I had highlights throughout, but thought I'd mention their recommended skills for individual librarians (there are also recommendations for library management and the wider institution):
- Develop teaching skills
- Build confidence in librarianship skills (by this, they mean "show your skills are still relevant in the 21st century!")
- Communication
- Personal relationships
- Use appropriate language ("21st century competencies" instead of "information literacy", "awareness raising" instead of "training" when working with faculty)
- Follow through
- Use marketing strategies
- Know your audience
- Go beyond the confort zone
Some references to follow up (some from this report, some from my own to-read list):
- ARL Strategic Plan 2010–2012 (pdf)
- Library and Repository Communities Join Together to Identify New Competencies for Academic Librarians
- Re-Skilling For Research: An investigation into the role and skills of subject and liaison librarians required to effectively support the evolving information needs of researchers (ack- 115 pages!)
- The-3-Click-Dilemma: are library databases nearing the tipping point of obsolescence?