Academic Librarians and Research: A Study of Canadian Library Administrator Perspectives

Abstract

Within the literature exploring the role of research in academic librarianship, very little attention has been paid to the perspectives of upper library administrators. This perspective is critical because library administrators play a key role in hiring, evaluating, supporting, promoting, and tenuring professional librarians. As a way of bringing the administrative perspective to these discussions, our study examines how library administrators within the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) view the role of research in their own libraries and within academic librarianship, as well as how they perceive the current and future climate for librarians’ research. Our study reveals key areas in need of further research and identifies several issues that librarians and upper administrators would benefit from exploring together to advance discussions about research.

Research engagement of health sciences librarians: a survey of research-related activities and attitudes

“…The studies that did exist [28,30] differed appreciably from the research attitudes of health sciences librarians described in our study, ranking professional development and promotion and tenure requirements as important motivators, whereas both health sciences academic and hospital librarians in our study ranked demonstration of the value and impact of libraries and provision of guidance as primary motivating factors. The top barrier to research for health sciences librarians was lack of time, nearly universally mentioned as the greatest obstacle in other studies [15,16,28].…”

Librarian readiness for research partnerships

“…Henry and Neville reported a lower percentage (63%) having sabbaticals and/or research leave available [5]. Berg, Jacobs, and Cornwall found that 84% of responding library admin istrators provided research leaves and sabbaticals to staff [21], but reiterated Fox [6] in that leaves only count if librarians can take the time to use them.…”

Funding, Time, and Mentoring: A Study of Research and Publication Support Practices of ARL Member Libraries

“…Lack of research skills or confidence in writing abilities are common barriers to research and publication (Berg, Jacobs, & Cornwall, 2013;Koufogiannakis & Crumley, 2006). Research groups and writing groups attempt to provide a forum for collegial exchange of ideas, encouragement, accountability, and feedback (Sapon-White et al, 2004;Stilling, 2012).…”