From Specialists to Generalists

Abstract This workshop gave a detailed account of the steps taken by the Technical Services Departments of two university libraries that were able to change their professional and paraprofessional staffs from a single task to a multiple task orientation using cross-training, development of consistent documentation, shared knowledge, core competencies and by increasing skills. These changes, although complex and sometimes difficult to implement, increased productivity and produced positive results at Louisiana State University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.