From practice to research at Flinders University Library: sustaining a research culture

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the mechanisms used by Flinders University Library to sustain a culture of research. Flinders University Library has been supporting its librarians to undertake research projects using a formal support group mechanism, known as the Research Working Group (RWG), sanctioned and resourced by library executive since 2010. This established a culture of practitioner-based research in the library, with librarians developing a greater understanding of both the theory and practice of qualitative and quantitative methods by undertaking their own research projects. However, sustaining this culture brings new challenges which this paper now explores. Design/methodology/approach This case study describes the methods used at Flinders University Library in sustaining a culture of practitioner-research. This arose from a review of the formal support structure, as well as a previous study that surveyed staff responses to the Research Working Group. Findings As academic libraries face ongoing challenges and engage more broadly with research support, librarians need experiential knowledge of research. In the case of Flinders University Library, in seeking to sustain a research culture, we have needed to adapt our support mechanisms, including a greater emphasis on peer support, a different model of resourcing, and more inclusivity for all staff to engage with research work. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited by its scope as a single-institution case study; however there are opportunities for other academic libraries to learn from this experience. Originality/value Establishing a culture of practice-based research is not an easy undertaking, requiring dedication from all parties whether management, practitioner-researchers or mentors. While there are many examples in the literature of case studies examining the establishment of research culture, few if any take the next steps to explore how to maintain it. This paper seeks to fill that gap.

From a network model to a model network: strategies for network development to narrow the LIS research–practice gap

“…, 2017, p. 104). Most available examples are at the level of a single institution such as: the City University of New York (Cirasella and Smale, 2011); Flinders University Library, Adelaide, Australia (Hall, 2018b); University of South Florida (Schmidt et al. , 2021); and University of Western Ontario (Meadows et al.…”

“…, 2020, p. 191) and examples of the establishment of networks for academic librarians. However, there is little published evidence of such opportunities for LIS practitioners across a range of sectors to engage with LIS researchers about research for the purposes of building communities and/or developing their careers as practitioner-researchers [as noted by Hall (2018b, p. 615), Kennedy et al. (2020, p. 181), Nguyen and Hider (2018, p. 11) and Turner (2002, p. 4)].…”

“…These have been successful in bringing together LIS practitioners, overcoming barriers such as limited funding and cultural impediments to research engagement (Nguyen and Hider, 2018, p. 11) and time (Hoffman et al, 2017, p. 104). Most available examples are at the level of a single institution such as: the City University of New York (Cirasella and Smale, 2011); Flinders University Library, Adelaide, Australia (Hall, 2018b); University of South Florida (Schmidt et al, 2021); and University of Western Ontario (Meadows et al, 2013). In some cases, more than one institution is involved, for example, the Librarians' Research Partnership at McGill and Concordia Universities in Canada (Carson et al, 2014).…”

Theory into practice:: Challenges and implications for information literacy teaching

“…The development of practical application of new models of theory-informed IL teaching are enabled through participation in peer networks (Bilodeaua and Carson, 2015; Carson, 2014; Osborn, 2017; Walkley Hall, 2018). Sharing not just the theoretical implication of practices but also the implementation strategies offers great potential for the development of practices across libraries.…”