Abstract
The transition from print to digital information has transformed the role of academic libraries, which have had to redefine themselves as intermediaries and partners in the learning and research processes. This study analyzes the evolution and current provision of research support services in Spanish academic libraries through an analysis of the three strategic plans published by the Spanish association of academic libraries (REBIUN) and a survey administered to the library directors. Results show that academic libraries are firmly embedded within universities’ research activities, and that most of them depend on vice-rectorates for research or scientific policy. There is a relationship between the size of the library and its provision of research support services, although no correlation is observed between the size of the library and the staff devoted to research support. Library directors stress the value of institutional repositories, a vision also reflected in the importance assigned to open access in the strategic plans. Other current hot topics, such as data management, do not seem to be among the priorities of Spanish library directors as yet.
Highlights
The mission of academic libraries is to support teaching and research at their home institutions.Traditionally, library support for research has revolved around “information discovery, collection development and some elements of information management” [1] (p. 33)
REBIUN has played a key role in directing the recent evolution of Spanish academic libraries
Spanish academic libraries have not traditionally included the figure of the reference librarian or subject librarian among their staff. This has had an impact on the current situation; even though nearly four of every five libraries state that they offer research support services, the human resources devoted to these tasks are scarce
Summary
The mission of academic libraries is to support teaching and research at their home institutions.Traditionally, library support for research has revolved around “information discovery, collection development and some elements of information management” [1] (p. 33). The mission of academic libraries is to support teaching and research at their home institutions. Library support for research has revolved around “information discovery, collection development and some elements of information management” [1] The context in which academic libraries provide these services has changed dramatically in recent years; the transition from print to digital information has transformed their role as intermediaries. Library directors feel “increasingly less valued by, involved with, and aligned strategically with their supervisors and other senior academic leadership” [3]. These transformations are having an impact on the delivery of library research support services
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