This study of the role and impact of the subject selector in academic libraries is unique and long overdue. We focused on the Pac-12 university libraries, a representative sample of nationwide academic libraries. The strength of our investigation is this small, focused sample size and unique statistical analysis of subject specialists. There is a wide variety among these libraries with respect to the hiring requirements for MLIS, the MLIS with an additional advanced-subject master’s degree, and those libraries who hire non-MLIS librarians. This investigation has the possibility of promoting greater awareness for the future of subject specialists in academic libraries.
