Title: Dangerous liaisons? Defining the Faculty Liaison Librarian service model, its effectiveness and sustainability.

Many university libraries are adopting a Faculty Liaison Librarian structure as an integral part of their organization and service delivery model. This paper examines, in a pragmatic way, the variations in the definition of the role of the Faculty Liaison Librarian, the expectations of those librarians, their library managers and their clients and the impact of environmental factors. The Faculty liaison librarian role is not entirely new, evolving from the traditional subject librarian and university special/branch library role. However the emerging role is characterised by a more outward-looking perspective and complexity, emphasizing stronger involvement and partnership with the faculty and direct engagement in the University’s teaching and research programs. Methodology/approach Following a review of the literature and other sources on the rationale and role of library liaison, the current developments, drivers and expectations are discussed. Findings Dynamic external and internal environments of universities are driving the evolution of library liaison, so the role description is still fluid. However the breadth and weight of expectations is now such that the effectiveness and sustainability of the role has to be addressed. Practical implications While a dynamic, broader and more intensive role for the Faculty Liaison Librarian is emerging, more thinking is needed about the extent of that role and its sustainability. What, for example, are the priorities for the Faculty Liaison Librarian? What traditional activities can and may have to be abandoned? These considerations are necessary not only to guide the librarians but to help define the attributes and skills required for the position and to determine the institutional support it requires