Developing a new librarian

Abstract

This is a report and evaluation of a project specifically intended to enhance mid-career librarians’ understanding of the research process, to encourage their willingness and ability to support research in their own libraries and to motivate them to participate in the knowledge production enterprise in their own institutions. Outcomes of the project were viewed through the lens of change theory to see whether any demonstrable changes had been effected. The programme was conducted with 25 participants in July 2012 and focused on the research landscape and scholarly communication in South Africa, and on an understanding of the challenges inherent in the world of the researcher. The skills sets required of research librarians were identified, and opportunities were provided for participants to participate in some of them. Participants’ feedback was requested after each presentation and an online exit survey was completed in participants own time shortly after the programme. Further evaluations were conducted six and 15 months after the intervention and the results are discussed. From the findings it was possible to conclude that a project such as this could produce some evidence of actual knowledge production as well as enhance collaboration between librarians and researchers.

Note: An earlier, shorter report of this project reflecting the first phase of the study was presented at the 34^th Annual IATUL (International Association of Technological University Libraries) Conference in Cape Town in 2013.