The document describes Auburn University Libraries' use of the NASIG Core Competencies for Electronic Resource Librarians to assess their electronic resources department. In 2013, their initial self-assessment identified skills gaps. Over time, through training, practice, and expanding their roles, staff strengthened areas like acquisitions, licensing, and records management. The competencies provided a framework for professional development and improved collaboration across the department.

1. Core Competencies to the Rescue
Shade Aladebumoye
Nadine Ellero
Paula Sullenger
Auburn University Libraries

2. Auburn University Libraries
January 2011
• $6 million materials expenditures
• 1 librarian
• 1 serials associate (invoicing, payment resolution)
• 1 IT specialist
• 1 serials assistant (print)
• No ERM
• No policy/procedures manual
• Lot of information/expertise silos
New librarian hired fall 2011
Long-term goal: Have at least two people able to perform every task in the
department

3. NASIG Core Competencies for Electronic Resource Librarians
www.nasig.org
Core
The Core Competencies Task Force developed a document
describing core competencies for serials and electronic resources
librarians. It provides librarian educators with a basis for developing
curriculum with a specialized focus. Employers might use the
Competencies as a basis for describing these specialized positions
and to establish criteria upon which to evaluate the performance of
those who hold them. It is based on current research and
complements ALA's Core Competences for Librarianship.

4. Department Assessment using the Core Competencies
June 2013
*Note: this assessment was made using draft version of the
competencies available in June – differs slightly from final version
Initials key: SA = Serials Associate
SAL= Serials Acquisitions Librarian
ITS= Information Technology Specialist
DH= Department Head
Ratings key: Bold Initials: complete mastery, I can do this
Normal Initials: I feel confident in this; if the
person with primary responsibility were out for a
week, I could fill in and perform this duty
Italic Initials: I understand what this is but I do
not feel confident in my abilities here; I would not
be able to do this task
Blank: I haven’t the slightest idea how to do this

5. Initial assessment: July 2013
DH
1e. Thorough knowledge of acquisitions processes in order to
manage electronic resources budgets, particularly: encumbrances,
ILS Acquisition module functions, split funds and other situations
particular to acquisition of journal packages that may not have a
single discipline in common, service and lock in charges, adjusting
for discrepancy between fiscal and calendar year accounting. The
electronic resources librarian has the ability to skillfully
SA SAL DH
i. acquire and maintain subscriptions through agent(s) and/or
directly with publishers
SA ITS DH
ii. establish and manage procedures to ensure access to electronic
serials
SA SALITS DH iii. troubleshoot electronic resources access problems

6. 3. Research Skills: the electronic resources librarian
SAL DH
3a. Recognizes the need for data, selecting appropriate data
analysis methods and utilizing data (e.g. resource usage statistics)
persuasively to inform decision making
SAL DH
3b. Understands the complex range of data generated by and
related to electronic resources from the sources in #1, as well as
vendor web sites and proprietary products, and how these data
are interconnected or distinct.
SAL DH
3c. Has the ability to collect, analyze, manipulate, and provide
meaningful interpretation of data using relational databases,
spreadsheet and word processing programs, and online tools.
SAL DH
3d. Possesses a broad understanding (or ability to acquire such
understanding) of the electronic resources accessible through the
organization and the ability to examine and evaluate current and
potential purchases in objective and user-centered ways
(assessment).

7. Reassessment: March 2014
Changes to initial ratings in red
The electronic resources librarian has
SA SAL DH
1a. A complete and extensive understanding of the overall life
cycle process of electronic resources in its ongoing complexity and
multiple stages and processes. This broader understanding is
essential as a foundation in order for anyone to be prepared to
work with and act as a bridge across the multiple
units/departments involved in electronic resources.
SA
SAL
SAL DH
1b. A thorough understanding of records management in the
sense of coordinating, organizing, and managing complex records
related to acquiring electronic resources.

8. Shade Aladebumoye
o Comfortable managing print journals
o Suddenly shifting more and more into
electronic formats.
o Struggle with management,
organization, and provision of access.

9. o Introduced to Core Competencies for ERL
o Help identify knowledge and skills needed.
o Self assessment
o Wake up call
o Expand my role to include electronic
resource
o Trouble shooting

10. o Lib_cathelp list group
o Email list for reporting any catalog/access issue
o Several people in TechServ monitor the list
o Each day assigned to one person
o Problems range from simple to complex
o Wrong call # or location on a book
o Catalog says we have access but we don’t
o Wrong coverage dates on a journal
o Can’t access off-campus
o Etc.

11. 2.7 Software such as
o Link resolver software
o Main approach
o Set up training sessions

12. o Practice practice practice...
o Trouble shooting: identifying and correcting
access problem

13. 4.4 Demonstrating the ability to work
collaboratively with other units and staff,
establishing and maintaining effective
working relationship.
Very strong

14. Nadine’s First Self-Assessment
1.1 ER Acquisitions: weak
1.2 ER Licensing: weak
1.3 Organization & Representation of
Recorded Knowledge and Information: strong
1.4 Experience with Bibliographic Utilities:
strong
1.5 Complex Aspects of Records Management
& Workflow: weak

15. Nadine’s Comments Regarding First
Self-Assessment
• Prior position contained elements of an
Electronic Resources Librarian knowledge
and skill set – 2.7 strong:
– KnowledgeBases
– LinkResolvers
– ER Trouble-Shooting
• Prior position: Intellectual Access and
Metadata Librarian – 1.3 strong

16. Nadine’s Action Steps From First
Self-Assessment
• Created a Resource Tracking Excel
Workbook:
– Journals
– Serials
– Databases
• Acquired the language of acquisitions
and Voyager
• Strengthened teamwork with the Unit
• Gained experience & practiced

17. Nadine’s Second Self-Assessment
1.1 Acquisitions: stronger (always more to
learn)
1.2 Licensing: currently in process
1.5 Complex Records Management:
stronger - added sections to Excel
Workbook:
– Summary Fund Transfers & Special Credits
– Open Access Titles

18. Nadine’s Comments Regarding Second
Self-Assessment
• 1.3 and 1.4 maintenance - keep current
with standards and best practices
• 1.5 major focus for next
year....UNTIL...Paula announced her
acceptance of a new position...
• 1.2 Licensing + 1.5 Complex Records
Need quick rise to strong competence
in 2 months time!
• The Race is on...

19. Nadine’s Action Steps From Second
Self-Assessment
• Signed up for the NASIG licensing
workshop
• Viewed recent NASIG webinar on
“Streamlining license negotiations”
• Reviewed prior ALCTS webinar on licensing
• Re-examined the Voyager Acquisitions
Manual
• Started constructing Flow Charts to
illustrate local Fund Structures and
Workflows

20. Questions?
Shade Aladebumoye - aladeoy@auburn.edu
Nadine Ellero - npe0003@auburn.edu
Paula Sullenger - sullepa@auburn.edu
Core Competencies Spreadsheets:
Auburn’s first assessment results (based on June 2013 draft competencies)
http://bit.ly/1rPszgo
Approved version of Core Competencies
http://bit.ly/1mesHr1
e_Grid.xlsx