Subject Specialist in Academic Libraries: An Overview

Abstract

The new trends in information retrieval system can be found in different format i.e. e-resources such as on-line journals, electronic databases, books and databases on web, and the rise of student enrolment, with lean annual budgetary allocation alongside other factors are posing more challenges to compel academic libraries to review their service delivery method to their numerous clientele in other to be more relevant in the complexity of information environment. This paper is an aƩempt to provide an overview of subject specialists in the context of global trends affecting librarianship and argue that subject specialists have crucial role to play in contemporary academic environment in terms of collection development liaison with library clients, referencing and library literacy. However, the paper concludes that subject specialists are crucial in the academic library as a service institution.