Sage launches search for outstanding library academic partnerships in higher education

The research is being undertaken by LISU, a national research and information centre based in the Research School of Informatics and the Department of Information Science at Loughborough University (UK).

Commencing this month, the six month project will build on existing research to identify how libraries can better market their services, and how they can improve perceptions with key decision makers. Whilst value can be defined in many ways, for example value to users, value to the parent institution, or economic value, this project will provide a global perspective on the issue of library value focusing on the relationship between academic libraries and teaching and research staff.

The research team will be undertaking eight case studies for the project from January to March 2012. Libraries interested in taking part are requested to contact LISU via the project website.

"We want to hear from libraries who feel they are doing a particularly good job of supporting research and teaching staff", said Claire Creaser, Director of LISU. "The case studies we undertake will help to form a picture of best practice in terms of strengthening relations with academic departments; effectively marketing and profiling library services; maximising value to teaching and research staff; and demonstrating value within and beyond the institution."

The case studies of individual libraries and universities will be undertaken with a mix of both research intensive and teaching intensive institutions, and be drawn from three broad geographical areas: two from the UK; four from the USA; and two from Scandinavia. In order to give an indication of how typical the case study experiences are within their wider regional and academic context, a series of triangulation surveys will then be carried out to ascertain the extent to which the issues and findings from the case studies resonate with wider experience. Volunteers for the surveys are also encouraged to contact the research team via the project website.

"We frequently hear from librarians that the need to demonstrate value is of growing importance but also increasingly challenging, particularly as resources have become more varied and more and more users access library services remotely" said Clive Parry, Global Marketing Director, SAGE. "We believe this research will help libraries and academic departments to work together to enhance and demonstrate the value of libraries for teaching and research."

For further information about the project and to contact the research team about participation, please visit http://libraryvalue.wordpress.com.