Host research events in the library

ONE WAY OF attracting researchers into the library is to host regular events for them to attend. The library is a neutral space in the organization and can be an ideal venue for events organized by and for researchers. Such events don't need to have a specific link to the library and its resources, it's sufficient that they bring researchers into the space and raise the profile of the library as a scholarly venue. These events may be organized and run by library staff, as with information literacy workshops, but they can equally be owned by the research community and just facilitated by library staff. Facilitation can simply take the form of providing a space, but can also extend to providing refreshments (always a draw) or to helping with the administrative tasks, such as promoting the event, maintaining a list of attendees, etc. Events may be part of a regular programme to which researchers have to apply for space, for example a Library World Café, or you may simply identify a suitable space and advertise it as available for research-focused meetings. If there are any LIS staff who are also active researchers this is an excellent opportunity for them to participate on a level playing field with other researchers in the organization, potentially altering perceptions amongst researchers about who they are and what they do. Such events are also useful for both raising awareness of the library and for learning more about current research activity.

One of the benefits of this kind of activity is that researchers will start to see the library in a different light, not just as a provider of information, but as a key part of their research life. It is surprising what a difference such a subtle change in emphasis can make in terms of changing perceptions of the library from a purely supporting role to being a more integral part of the research lifecycle.

If the library includes a research commons or specific research zone, then this kind of activity may be common practice, but even without such a specific facility it's possible for the library to become the accepted place for researchfocused events.