Integrating library research and service: the case of Internet training for small business executives

摘要

In academic libraries, most tenure-track librarians have to balance their work in, or contributions to, librarianship, scholarship, and professional service in order to survive or thrive in the tenure system. Of the three components, scholarship, which generally involves research and publication, is frequently viewed as the most challenging for librarians. Previous research has shown that "the most frequent cause for librarians being denied tenure is an inadequate research and publication record."(FN1) A rigid work schedule, insufficient research training, and the lack of research support and funding have been among the most frequently cited reasons.(FN2) A review of the literature revealed two contrasting views among academic librarians regarding the relationship between a librarian's research and his or her library service. One is the separative view, which "separates professional practice from scholarship and service, and splinters what is designed to be a cohesive and complementary process."(FN3) The librarians who hold this view regard scholarship as an additional burden, claiming that "a requirement or an expectation to perform researchand to publish it could result in a serious reduction in the level of service provided to the library's users."(FN4) This view of library research conflicting with library service was said to have contributed to the resentment toward, and difficulty in,library research and publication.(FN5) An integrative view of research and library service has been presented to academic librarians as a positive alternative. This view projects benefits that research can bring to library service. For example, research is said to "facilitate concrete understanding of the access and service needs of the library clientele,"(FN6) and "helps librarians understand what they must do to best serve their users" due to the increasing rate of change in information technology.