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 language | American English |
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Journal | The Reading Room: A Journal of Special Collections |
Volume | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 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