CURL/RIN study of Researchers and Academic Libraries

The recent study, entitled, Researchers’ Use of Academic Libraries and their Services - a report commissioned by the Research Information Network and the Consortium of Research Libraries in the UK is available here.

This is a broad-ranging study which examines how researchers use academic libraries. The issues raised, from the point of view of the provision of digital resources, include: the perceived emphasis placed by libraries on support for teaching and learning rather than support for researchers; the fact that many researchers appreciate the online services, but don't necessarily realise they're supplied by the Library; and, differences in value placed on eJournals versus other digital resources in the Library.

As for non-digital topics, it has been found that the perception of the Library differs depending on the researcher's discipline. Arts and Humanities researchers are still the group who most value the services provided in Library buildings although the number of their physical visits to the Library building is in decline. On the other hand, visits to the buildings are necessitated by the fact that the objects of research for Arts/Humanities researchers are often held in the Library.

Plenty of figures and food for thought.