Booklet helps research library decisions

The Research Information Network (RIN) is launching a new guidance booklet called ‘Ensuring a bright future for research libraries: A guide for vice-chancellors and senior institutional managers.’

Digital technologies and online information resources have brought fundamental changes in how research is done, and also in what researchers expect from library and information services. The services that librarians and information professionals provide have also changed fundamentally over the past decade. New resources, services and technologies continue to create new opportunities, new challenges and new expectations.

The guide is aimed at vice-chancellors and senior institutional managers and aims to help them ensure library and information services keep pace with the evolving needs of researchers. The guidance was written by the working group set up to consider the findings and conclusions from the RIN and Research Libraries UK (then known as CURL) report on ‘Researchers’ use of academic libraries and their services’ (April 2007).

Key issues covered in the booklet include linking library content and collections to research strategies; cataloguing, navigation, discovery, delivery and access: researchers’ needs; and sharing skills and expertise. It also covers communicating and evaluating research outputs; curation, preservation and disposal; and sustainable resources.