What do embedded librarians do, and why do they matter? Embedded librarians build fully engaged partnerships, making a transformative impact both within these embedded communities and library services. The expertise that librarians offer in connecting different groups, information literacy knowledge, and understanding how information is organized and disseminated is invaluable. This proficiency...

Special thanks to my faculty colleagues at Austin Community College, Nova Southeastern University, and Cottey College for their willingness to support and value teaching partnerships for student success. Thanks also to the aspiring librarians with whom I had the honor of teaching and mentoring during their initial forays into embedded librarianship.

A clear understanding of your library is the first step in planning any embedded librarianship program. According to Germano and Stretch-Stephenson, “Strategic plans are developed and executed by businesses in order to chart a course toward an idealized future destination for the organization. Normally, this means aspiring to become an industry leader or niche holder by increasing...

In chapter 4, the roles and proficiencies of the librarian were analyzed with the intent of planning how to best serve the outside organization’s needs as an embedded librarian. The next consideration in the planning process is analyzing the personality of the librarian and how he or she will fit into the embedded organization. A recent article by Schofield (2013) states this consideration...

Setting goals and creating a vision statement is an important first step. What do the librarian, the department that will be embedded, and administration hope to accomplish by venturing into embeddedness? As the plan is created, both for the librarian and for library stakeholders, objectives and resources must be in sync and a timeline must be included in the process. Visualization of the outcomes...

Data should be at the center of strategic planning, as it provides information that helps answer key questions such as what to keep doing and what to stop doing. Criteria may be used to show the value of the librarian’s efforts within an embedded program and point to ways for improved effectiveness. Data can help answer pressing questions and revise strategies. It may be used to demonstrate...

Courtney Mlinar has worked for Austin Community College (ACC) since 2013 as a head librarian (Elgin campus) and associate professor. She is a member of the ACC Library Services Leadership Team, serving on the Information Literacy Council, and the LibGuides administrator and copyright officer for ACC. She earned a master’s degree in library science from Texas Woman’s University,...

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