A Hard Look in the Mirror: Re-imagining the Role of the Librarian at the Greater Victoria Public Library. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kendrick, Tracy; Rowan, Jennifer; Windecker, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: Public library quarterly. Volume 42:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Public library -- librarianship -- leadership -- communities -- Canada; Public libraries -- Periodicals; Library science -- Periodicals; 027.405
• DOI: 10.1080/01616846.2021.1930772
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-6846

Abstract

ABSTRACT: As an urban Canadian public library system, Greater Victoria Public Library was not alone in trying to define the role of librarians within the context of a changing digital landscape and a reality where patrons were no longer seeking out librarians for in-depth reference questions at a traditional reference desk. Situated on Vancouver Island in the southwest corner of British Columbia, Canada, GVPL is a multi-branch system that was looking for ways to define the role of librarians within branches, within the organization, and within the library sector as a whole. By creating a community-inspired model with librarians as leaders within portfolios rather than defined by the ages that they were delivering programs for, GVPL developed a framework for community engagement with librarians as key drivers in the ensuring the library remains innovative, sustainable and valued.