Targeting Liaison Activities: Use of a Faculty Survey in an Academic Research Library

A library liaison program establishes a mechanism for librarians to increase their understanding of faculty needs and to share information about the library. Because needs differ and the range of possible activities is broad, a faculty survey is presented as a means to identify differences among faculty and to suggest productive areas of intervention for liaison librarians. In the case presented, a survey profiles faculty use and perceptions of the library and identifies specific predictors of faculty perceptions of library performance. Differences by rank and academic area are highlighted and then used to develop action plans for the overall liaison program and for individual liaisons between libraries and departments.