Librarians as Researchers within a University Setting Maureen Babb December 9th, 2016 University of Winnipeg

Introduction MLIS Thesis University of Alberta Defended December 1st, 2016 Study explores the perceptions of librarians as researchers Librarians & non-librarian faculty

Background Research is often expected of academic librarians A core competency according to ALA MLIS programs include research education Librarian research is diverse Librarians may assist non-librarian faculty in their own research Lack of awareness Lack of support Sometimes even threatened

Key Definitions Academic Researcher Research

Research Questions How do academic librarians perceive their own status as researchers and the status of their own research? Do academic librarians perceive themselves as researchers and/or academics? What is the perceived value of librarian research? How are academic librarians perceived in a university setting by non-librarian faculty? Do non-librarian faculty members perceive academic librarians as researchers/academics? To what degree are non-librarian faculty aware of the research capabilities of librarians? To what extent do non-librarian faculty employ the services of librarians in their own research?

Methodology Surveys Pilot Interviews Interviews 30 librarians, 30 non-librarian faculty Pilot Interviews 2 librarians Interviews 15 librarians, 7 non-librarian faculty Analysis of 12 collective agreements 6 U15, 6 non-U15

Demographics

Demographics

Findings – Librarian Surveys Librarians regularly conduct research 76% noted it as “required” 56% said librarians conducted enough research 41% said librarians should conduct more research 100% would like to engage in collaborative research with non-librarian faculty Three primary duties of librarians were considered to be: Teaching and Research Support Research Collection Management Research should not supersede the service aspect of the profession

Findings – Non-Librarian Faculty Surveys General lack of awareness regarding librarian research 74% felt librarians already undertook enough research Overwhelmingly felt librarians should conduct research 81% would like to engage in collaborative research with librarians Three primary duties of librarians were considered to be: Research Support Facilitating Access to Information Research Service-first highlighted here as well Was a concern that too much emphasis on research would be detrimental to library function

Findings – Pilot Interviews Seven major themes identified Service First Research is Essential to Good Service Librarians as Researchers, Not Academics Librarians Bring a Skillset to Collaborative Research Librarians as Bridges Conducting Research Raises Faculty’s Opinions of Librarians Lack of Research Support for Librarians at a System Level Concepts identified in the pilot interviews were incorporated into subsequent interviews

Findings – Librarian Interviews Seven major themes identified Doing Research and the Desire to do Research Research as a Duty and a Responsibility Research as Extra Support and Challenges Freedom to Research Beneficial on Multiple Axes Faculty Relations “We librarians that are also active researchers, and [we need to be to] understand the research process if we’re supposed to be modelling that to students and faculty.” – Steve, Librarian

Findings – Non-Librarian Faculty Interviews Eight major themes identified Awareness of Librarian Roles Collaboration Research Facilitation Applications of Librarian Research Value of Librarian Research Librarians Outside the Academic Community Librarians as Part of the Academic Community Suggestion that Librarians Should be Researchers (But it’s Hard) “If [librarians] don’t [conduct research] they will simply become civil servants and the library itself, it would not be a place of research, it would just be a holding ground.” – Tony, Non-librarian Faculty Member

Findings – Collective Agreements Generally part of larger faculty agreements Research generally positioned as part of a broader category Research could often be replaced by “equivalents” Few institutions required research Research time not clearly defined “a reasonable amount of time” “when appropriate and necessary” Only a possibility Out of the hands of librarians May be required for promotion or tenure

Conclusions How do academic librarians perceive their own status as researchers and the status of their own research? Do academic librarians perceive themselves as researchers and/or academics? What is the perceived value of librarian research? How are academic librarians perceived in a university setting by non-librarian faculty? Do non-librarian faculty members perceive academic librarians as researchers/academics? To what degree are non-librarian faculty aware of the research capabilities of librarians? To what extent do non-librarian faculty employ the services of librarians in their own research?

Conclusions Librarian research: Changes are necessary: Important & Beneficial Undervalued & Unsupported Changes are necessary: Education Funding Support Ability Awareness

maureenbabb@gmail.com m.babb@uwinnipeg.ca babb@ualberta.ca Questions & Comments? Thank you! maureenbabb@gmail.com m.babb@uwinnipeg.ca babb@ualberta.ca