Re-skilling for research: an investigation into the role and skills of subject and liaison librarians required to effectively support the evolving information needs of researchers

The increasingly competitive research environment demands greater collaboration (across discipline, institutional, and national boundaries) and generates greater quantities of data than ever before. In addition, funders are placing increased emphasis on the demonstration of the impact of research outputs and engendering wide dissemination of research findings. As research activities evolve, research support must evolve with it. This report examines in detail the information needs of researchers and begins to outline the skills and knowledge that are required to meet those needs. It...  [+] Show more

The increasingly competitive research environment demands greater collaboration (across discipline, institutional, and national boundaries) and generates greater quantities of data than ever before. In addition, funders are placing increased emphasis on the demonstration of the impact of research outputs and engendering wide dissemination of research findings. As research activities evolve, research support must evolve with it. This report examines in detail the information needs of researchers and begins to outline the skills and knowledge that are required to meet those needs. It offers a comparison of different models of library support for researchers, with valuable comparisons of current job descriptions. Finally, the report explores issues around the training opportunities for subject librarians to acquire the additional skills and knowledge they will need to fulfill their new roles.

Excerpts from publication.