Beyond reference: How staffing shortages shaped a new liaison model

Florida Atlantic Libraries employs a liaison system in which all non‑administrative faculty librarians assume liaison responsibilities; a structure implemented largely in response to staffing shortages. This case study examines the system from the perspective of librarians whose primary roles fall outside traditional reference services. It analyzes the development and function of Florida Atlantic’s liaison program, outlines the challenges and benefits associated with this model from the viewpoints of a special collections librarian and a collection management librarian, and offers recommendations for institutions considering the adoption of a comparable program.