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

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

3. 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

4. Key Definitions
Academic
Researcher
Research

5. 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?

6. 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

7. Demographics

8. Demographics

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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?

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

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