Supporting Research -An academic library

perspective

Jill Taylor-RoeHead of Liaison & Academic Services

Robinson LibraryUniversity of Newcastle upon Tyne

Our research customers

• Academic/Clinical staff• Research Associates (Contract

Research Staff)• Postgraduate students• Masters students• “External” people

How do we know what they want?

• We ASK them!• Regular strategic dialogue with

Provosts and Research Deans• Practical Survey

Research Support Project at Newcastle

• To create a comprehensive and consistent package of resources and services for all Faculties.

• To raise awareness of what the Library can do to support planned and active research in the University.

• To set up mechanisms for reviewing and developing these services.

What they want from us

• Electronic journals• Wide range of specialist materials• Document delivery• Specialist help in tracing resources

and keeping up to date• Information on “what is there for me”

What they get from us (1)

E-journals - c 10,000Books, Mss, Databases, microformsDoc Del – ILLPLUS sessionsLunchtime workshopsInput to projects and research bids

What they get from us (2)

• Support for RAE• Networking opportunities• Costing of resource requirements for

research bids• Info Skills training programmes • Research focus via: ResIN :

Research Information at Newcastle

ResIN

• ResIN website – news - spotlight• University links• Promotes relevant library resources • Highlights training programmes• Supports Scholarly Communication

advocacy• Highlights Institutional repository• RAE support

www.ncl.ac.uk/library/resin

What we feel we got right with ResIN

• Links to other central support services such as Business Development Directorate

• Links to University / Faculty Research Committees

• University Handbook for Researchers• Web links in University pages

Additional Benefits

• Raised awareness of Special Collections• Increased use of collections by UG and

researchers• Treasures evenings• Exhibitions tied to conferences/research

topicsPublicity on staircases

• Input to PG training programme

Better Publicity for research support

• University newsletter• Faculty Research newsletters• Library film for researchers• Links within websites• ResIN Leaflets and posters• Training programmes / PLUS• Individual contacts

Issues – what we have learnt

• Differences between disciplines– Ways of doing research– Types of information needed

• Expectations– Experience– Changing research practice– Information explosion– Technology

Issues 2

• External drivers– Funding/ sponsorship– Commercialisation– Roberts Review– RAE

• Internal vs external factors– Local needs/ national issues– Scholarly communication debate

What next?

further embedding of ResIN in University research support training programme

Links with e-theses pilotReview, Refine and UpdateGearing up for RAE – links with

myprofiles

Very time consumingNeeds constant attention to keep things fresh and up to date… but ultimately worth it

Jill.Taylor-Roe@ncl.ac.uk

Final thoughts re Library support for research