Relationship management: capitalising on the informal

Most Library Academic Liaison teams will have formal channels of communication which are used to ‘get work done’, but often we make the most progress when we forge relationships in less formal settings. Key elements of these relationships are the trust and respect that is developed and being seen as partners. This discussion draws on examples of successful relationships that we have built at the University of Sussex. I will discuss how we have worked in partnership with academics in the Sussex Humanities Lab to deliver events such as Library Carpentry. I will share insights from our ongoing relationship with SAGE Publications which has enabled us to expand our understanding of students and researchers. I will share how we have worked with a number of teams across the University to deliver a Digital Skills support based on JISC’s Digital Capability Framework. I will also reflect on how the Library as a whole benefits from these relationships.