this paper stipulates that the subject-based library liaison service to a university's teaching and research programs with certain embedded distinctive features should become the mainstream modus operandi of its library service. it takes the innovative service program based on an ic² conceptualized program at shanghai jiao tong university library(thereafter abbreviated as sjtul) as a concrete example to elucidate the merit of such an endeavor. specifically, this paper discusses the particular development background, overall objectives and service contents of the ic2 motivated program at sjtul. by presenting a detailed account of some of the key measures, major achievements and also possible future directions of library service development under the guiding principles of sjtul's ic² program, these authors hope that its innovative library practice may serve as a reference for other academic librarians to gain some inspirations for their own parallel service innovations or refinement focused on subject-oriented library liaison service to their constituents and parent institution's curricula and research projects.