Technical Services Transparency: Using a LibGuide to Expose the Mysteries of Technical Services

Abstract

Technical services departments in academic libraries have long struggled to communicate effectively with other library departments, particularly public services departments. As academic libraries acquire large numbers of digital resources, technical services departments are increasingly responsible for providing current information about those resources to public services staff. The authors of this paper describe the process of creating, testing, and implementing LibGuides (proprietary software for building library portals and facilitating information sharing in libraries) as a new way of communicating much-needed information between technical services and public services staff at Miami University Libraries.