Aligning staffing models with expanding information literacy expectations: A case study

Academic libraries are experiencing expanded expectations for supporting information literacy at the same time that staffing levels are strained by retirements, reorganizations, and shifting institutional priorities. This case study shares how the Research and Reference Services department at Montclair State University Libraries restructured its teaching, learning, and research support operations from 2022 to 2025 to remain responsive to growing demand for instruction across multiple modalities, supported the rollout of a new general education curriculum, maintained critical research support services, and even implemented new initiatives to support student and faculty success. Strategies undertaken to minimize the impact of staffing shortages on students and faculty include the hiring of experienced librarians as part-time adjuncts and temporary full-time librarians; the development of asynchronous learning materials; iterative redesigns of reference service delivery; and the implementation of alternative staffing models. This article shares successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the Libraries’ various attempts at aligning staffing models with growing information literacy expectations.