Liaisons, Librarians, and Collection Policies

The Library supports ISU's mission to "create, share, and apply knowledge to make Iowa and the world a better place." The Library provides a wide range of information resources to support ISU's teaching and research. The Library collections also address the general information needs of Iowa residents and the public at large. A "collection policy" outlines the values and strategies a Library uses to create the collection of tangible and online content used by our community.

The work of the Library Liaisons directly impacts the ability of the ISU Library to support faculty and students effectively and advance the university's strategic mission. Library Liaisons: 

• serve as the primary representatives between the colleges/departments/programs, and the Library.
• relay relevant library information to their colleagues
• keep their subject librarians informed about curricular changes and items that may affect the Library's collection building priorities
• influence and participate in the evolution of research at the university 
• have regular opportunities for exchanging ideas, advocating and sharing research and teaching needs from their college/department/program.

The subject librarians in turn provide library updates to the colleges through the faculty liaisons and advocate for the development of or refinement of library services based on communicated needs.