Research First? Assessing the Role of Special Collections Librarians in Academia

Matthew Knight, Andrew Huse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In academic libraries, one of the lesser-explored discussions surrounds the value and validity
of research done by librarians outside of their own professional literature (LIS). For this
study, the authors surveyed seventy-five special collections librarians to assess their research
activity; perspectives on non-LIS research; and experiences in the workplace regarding
credit for non-LIS research. The quantitative data shows a large majority of respondents
favored research outside of LIS, while the qualitative responses revealed strong opinions on
research in and out of the profession, what constitutes a superior librarian, and the tenets of
academic freedom. Almost all respondents agreed that the special collections librarian needs
to make scholarship a priority in order to succeed and advance in the profession. Given the
responses, this study should be considered a first step toward a fuller discussion of the value
of research in academic libraries.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalThe Reading Room: A Journal of Special Collections
Volume1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Keywords

  • Research
  • academia
  • special collections
  • archives
  • academic freedom
  • censorship
  • academic library

Disciplines

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Library and Information Science
  • Archival Science
  • Scholarly Communication
  • Scholarly Publishing

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