Faculty Perceptions of Librarians at Albion College: Status, Role, Contribution, and Contacts

Abstract

The authors survey faculty perceptions of the status, role, and contribution of librarians at Albion College, a small, selective liberal arts college in Michigan. The extent and nature of the contacts between the two groups are examined and the views of librarians held by a number of faculty cohorts isolated. The methodology used in the study is explained, the results compared with prior surveys conducted at the university level, and suggestions for further study offered. The authors suggest that faculty perceptions of librarians influence their status, the degree of isolation of the library within the organization, how well or poorly it is funded, and how intensively and successfully its resources are exploited. They conclude that if librarians are to achieve a status appropriate to their contribution, they will need to better define their role and communicate it more clearly to their clientele.