Presentation Date
10-28-2025
Files
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Description
Solo librarianship can be both rewarding and isolating, especially in a specialized health sciences environment where the librarian is responsible for a full spectrum of services. I will discuss my experiences of solo librarianship at one of only a handful of special libraries dedicated to developmental disabilities in the United States. This unique setting required balancing niche subject expertise, information literacy instruction, and user advocacy, all while navigating limited resources and institutional visibility.
I will discuss the importance of leveraging cross-departmental relationships, partnering with broader library networks, and explore how to advocate for library services in a clinical and research-focused environment. I will also address challenges like professional isolation, workload, and keeping pace with trends in medical librarianship without a team.
This talk will interest attendees who are solo librarians or who work with them in academic, hospital, or research settings. Attendees will gain practical strategies for managing competing demands, raising the library’s profile, and maintaining professional growth in independent roles.
Document Type
Presentation
Conference/Presentation Location
SCC/MLA 2025
Recommended Citation
Roberts, Emily. "Navigating Solo Librarianship in a Health Sciences Setting." (2025). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hslic-posters-presentations/224