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“Making space” in practice and education: research support services in academic libraries

Mary Anne Kennan (School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University, Silverwater, Australia)
Sheila Corrall (School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA)
Waseem Afzal (School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Publication date: 10 November 2014

Abstract

Purpose

How academic libraries support the research of their parent institutions has changed as a result of forces such as changing scholarly communication practices, technological developments, reduced purchasing power and changes in academic culture. The purpose of this paper is to examine the professional and educational implications of current and emerging research support environments for academic libraries, particularly with regard to research data management and bibliometrics and discuss how do professionals and educators “make space” as new service demands arise?

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper uses data from a recent survey of research support provision by academic libraries in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Ireland, (authors 2013), and provides additional in depth analysis of the textual responses to extend the analysis in the light of forces for change in higher education. The original online questionnaire surveyed current and planned research support in academic libraries, and constraints or support needs related to service developments. It was distributed to 219 institutions in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland, and obtained 140 valid responses (response rate of 63.9 percent). Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics with thematic categorization and coding for the textual responses.

Findings

Most academic libraries surveyed are already providing or planning services in the focal areas of bibliometrics and data management. There was also increasing demand for other research support services, not the focus of the study, such as eresearch support, journal publishing platforms, and grant writing support. The authors found that while many academic libraries perceive increasing research support services as a “huge opportunity” they were constrained by gaps in staff skills, knowledge, and confidence and resourcing issues. With regard to staff education and training, it was reported they require a broader understanding of the changing research and scholarly landscape, the research cultures of different disciplines, and technological change. There was a near-universal support for development of more comprehensive, specialized, LIS education to prepare professionals for broader research support roles.

Originality/value

This further analysis of the implications of our survey in relation to influences such as economics, academic culture, technology, raises questions for both educators and practitioners about the future direction of the profession and how the authors collectively “make space” as new potential services arise.

Keywords

  • Academic libraries
  • Bibliometrics
  • Research data management
  • Research support services

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge with thanks the financial support provided by the Information Studies Research Priority Area, Faculty of Education, Charles Sturt University and in-kind contributions provided by the Information School, University of Sheffield. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the time and effort contributed to the study by the participants and by colleagues who participated in the pilot testing and assisted with the design of the survey instrument.

Citation

Kennan, M.A., Corrall, S. and Afzal, W. (2014), "“Making space” in practice and education: research support services in academic libraries", Library Management, Vol. 35 No. 8/9, pp. 666-683. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-03-2014-0037

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Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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