From the Ground Up: Building a Culture of Research in an Academic Library

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/25629

Keywords:

Academic Libraries, Research Culture, Professional Development

Abstract

Background: This article discusses the motivations, benefits, and actions taken to create and support a culture of research among library employees at a Carnegie Research 1 University Library system. Despite substantial pressures to publish and engage in library science research, many academic librarians lack the training or support to build their own research agendas. This is particularly worrisome as tenure requirements and professional trends require librarians to be knowledgeable and productive in their research dissemination.

 

Experience: At Clemson University Libraries, librarians responded to this problem by adapting evidence-based solutions from scientific and medical disciplines to fit their own research empowerment needs. The process of building a productive culture of research at Clemson Libraries was a multi-year endeavor that took considerable initiative, planning, and flexibility.

 

Discussion: Each of the initiatives required adaptation to the knowledge levels and existing culture in the Libraries. Organizers had to be willing to make changes and attempt new approaches as the organization evolved and comfort with the research process grew. Some initiatives, like Writing Circle, were disbanded, while others, like Journal Club and Research Roundtable, continue to develop with high levels of engagement.

 

Takeaways: The success of this progressive approach to fostering a thriving culture of research at Clemson Libraries is evident through the rates of participation, dissemination, and satisfaction of library employees in addition to the expansion of the Libraries’ engagement with research in outside departments and disciplines. Librarians who seek to enhance their own institution’s research culture should consider implementing some or all of these initiatives to jumpstart their efforts, including writing circles, journal clubs, and research roundtables.

Author Biographies

Jenessa McElfresh, University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Systematic Review Service Coordinator, Senior Research & Learning Services Librarian, Associate Professor 

Health Sciences Library

University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Memphis, TN

Maggie Albro, Clemson University

Science Librarian, Assistant Librarian

University Libraries

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

K. Megan Sheffield, Clemson University

Data Services Librarian, Associate Librarian

University Libraries

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

References

CW Staff. Clemson moves into top tier of research universities [Internet]. Clemson World. 2013 May 1 [cited 31 Aug 2021]. Available from: https://clemson.world/clemson-moves-into-top-tier-of-research-universities/

ClemsonForward strategic plan [Internet]. [updated Mar 2019; cited 31 Aug 2021]. Available from:

https://www.clemson.edu/provost/documents/clemsonforwardplan-updated32019.pdf

Clark M, Vardeman K, Barba S. Perceived inadequacy: a study of the imposter phenomenon among college and research librarians. Coll Res Libr [Internet]. 2014 May [cited 31 Aug 2021];75(3):255-71. doi:10.5860/crl12-423

Andrew N, Ferguson D, Wilkie G, Corcoran T, Simpson L. (2009). Developing professional identity in nursing academics: the role of communities of practice. Nurse Educ Today [Internet]. 2009 Aug [cited 31 Aug 2021];29(6):607-11. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2009.01.012

Ackerman E, Hunter J, Wilkinson ZT. The availability and effectiveness of research supports for early career academic librarians. J Acad Librariansh [Internet]. 2018 Sept [cited 31 Aug 2021];44(5):553-68. doi:10.1016/j.acalib.2018.06.001

Luo L. Fusing research into practice: the role of research methods education. Libr Inf Sci Res [Internet]. 2011 Jul [cited 31 Aug 2021];33(3):191-201. doi:10.1016/j.lisr.2010.12.001

Eddy PL, Gaston-Gayles JL. New faculty on the block: issues of stress and support. J Hum Behav Soc Enviro [Internet]. 2008 Oct [cited 31 Aug 2021];17(1-2):89-106 doi:10.1080/10911350802168878

Sassen C, Wahl D. Fostering research and publication in academic libraries. Coll Res Libr [Internet]. 2014 Jul [cited 31 Aug 2021];75(4):458-91. doi:10.5860/crl.75.4.458

Hall LW. (2018). From practice to research at Flinders University Library: sustaining a research culture. Libr Manag [Internet]. 2015 [cited 31 Aug 2021];39(8-9):615-24. doi:10.1108/LM-10-2017-0110

Kennedy MR, Brancolini, KR. Academic librarian research: a survey of attitudes, involvement, and perceived capabilities. Coll Res Libr [Internet]. 2012 Sept [cited 31 Aug 2021];73(5):431-48. doi:10.5860/crl-276

Apolinario RRU, Eclevia MR, Eclevia Jr. CL, Lagrama ERC, Sagun KKA. Librarian as researcher and knowledge creator: examining librarian’s research involvement, perceived capabilities and confidence. Paper presented at: IFLA WLIC

Proceedings of the IFLA Annual Congress; 2014 Aug 16-22; Lyon, France. Available from: http://library.ifla.org/id/eprint/961

Kennedy MR, Brancolini, KR. Academic librarian research: an update to a survey of attitudes, involvement, and perceived capabilities. Coll Res Libr [Internet]. 2018 Sept [cited 31 Aug 2021];79(6):882-951 doi:10.5860/crl.79.6.822

Borrego ´A, Pinfield S. Librarians publishing in partnership with other researchers: roles, motivations, benefits, and challenges. portal [Internet]. 2020 Oct [cited 31 Aug 2021];20(4):655-75. doi:10.1353/pla.2020.0031

Aytac S, Slutsky B. Published librarian research, 2008 through 2012: analyses and perspectives. Collab Librariansh [Internet]. 2014 [cited 31 Aug 2021];6(4):6. Available from: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/collaborativelibrarianship/vol6/iss4/6/

Wilkinson Z. Rock around the (tenure) clock: research strategies for new academic librarians. New Librar World. 2013 [cited 31 Aug 2021];114(1/2):54-66. doi:10.1108/03074801311291965

Morrison-Beedy D, Aronowitz T, Dyne, J, Mkandawire L. (2001). Mentoring students and junior faculty in faculty research: a win-win scenario. J Prof Nurs [Internet]. 2001 Nov-Dec [cited 31 Aug 2021];17(6):291-6. doi:10.1053/jpnu.2001.28184

Perkins GH, Slowik AJ. The value of research in academic libraries. Coll Res Libr [Internet]. 2013 Mar [cited 31 Aug 2021];74(2):143-58. doi:10.5860/crl-308

Booth A. Bridging the research-practice gap? The role of evidence based librarianship. New Rev Inf Libr Res [Internet]. 2003 Jul [cited 31 Aug 2021];9(1):3-23. doi:10.1080/13614550410001687909

Hansman CA. Training librarians as qualitative researchers: developing skills and knowledge. Ref Librar [Internet]. 2015 Oct [cited 31 Aug 2021];56(4):274-94. doi:10.1080/02763877.2015.1057683

Downloads

Published

08/24/2022

How to Cite

McElfresh, J., Albro, M., & Sheffield, K. M. (2022). From the Ground Up: Building a Culture of Research in an Academic Library. Hypothesis: Research Journal for Health Information Professionals, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.18060/25629

Issue

Section

Voices of Experience

Categories

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.