Two summers ago, the Dal Libraries went through an operational review. This review looked at all operations within the libraries such as alignment of the libraries with each other, strategies, services, operations, and staffing.

One of the main areas identified as being in need of realignment was the technical services aspect of the work we do. Out of a need for realignment came three new positions: Manager, Acquisitions & Metadata; Manager, E-Resources Access & Subscriptions; and Manager, System-Wide Resources.

Our main goal with implementing these three positions was to restructure five separate technical services departments into one decentralized university-wide unit. We also wanted to ensure that our procedures were evolving with the needs of the collection, which had evolved over time from a mostly print-centric collection to one that is heavy on both print and electronic resources.

These three manager positions have been filled internally by candidates that have a wealth of experience in the areas of acquisitions, metadata, e-Resources, subscriptions, and other resources. With these new positions, we now have a transparent model that works for all of the libraries. The new positions and successful candidates are as follows:

Manager, Acquisitions, & Metadata – Alice Stover

In this position, Alice is responsible for managing and coordinating the acquisition, cataloguing and access (both print and electronic) delivery for Dalhousie University Libraries through coordination of a collections management team consisting of staff throughout the Dalhousie Libraries. Previously, Alice worked as the Head of Bibliographic Control and Access Unit in the Killam Library. She has been with the Dalhousie Libraries for 33 years.

“I am excited to work with this new team and staff in all the Dalhousie Libraries to create a system-wide Technical Services,” said Alice.

Manager, E-Resources Access, & Subscriptions – Gail Fraser

In this position, Gail is responsible for coordinating the work of an e-Resource Team, consisting of staff from all the libraries, which will provide and maintain access to Dalhousie University Libraries’ electronic collections. She also manages employees responsible for print and electronic subscriptions. Previously, Gail worked as a library assistant in serials, cataloguing, and book ordering, eventually becoming the Head of Acquisitions for the Kellogg Library. Gail has been with the Dalhousie Libraries for 33 years.

“I look forward to working with colleagues in all Dalhousie Libraries to provide great system-wide access to our
e-Resources,” said Gail.

Manager, System-Wide Resources – Karen Chandler

In this position, Karen has system-wide responsibilities to manage the extensive collection of electronic resource packages and databases that the Dalhousie University Libraries purchases as a common, shared collection. Previously, Karen worked in the Circulation department, and worked her way up to become the Head of Serials Unit in the Killam Library. Karen has been with the Dalhousie Libraries for 32 years.

“I’ve been fortunate to have shared my working days with a wonderful group of colleagues in Technical Services within the Killam Library, where my entire working career at Dalhousie has been spent, and also with those at the other Dal Libraries. I look forward to continuing to work with them in my new capacity as well as having the opportunity to work more closely with the Heads and to provide them with information to assist with their decision-making in future,” said Karen.

All three of these positions report to Patrick Ellis, the Associate University Librarian of Resources, through the Collections Services Librarian. “Alice, Gail, and Karen do an enormous amount of work that includes managing our Technical Services, keeping the workflow going, training staff, all the while dealing with a large collection cut this year. They are a key part of our efficiency as the Dal Libraries, giving us a coherent voice in bargaining with vendors and giving us a structure where we can make the best decisions about the collection,” said Patrick.

“We have a marvellous collection here that really reflects Dalhousie, with all of the various research disciplines represented. In order for the collection to stay relevant, it requires constant maintenance and refinement, and Alice, Gail, and Karen contribute so much to this work in their new roles,” said Patrick.