The Role of Next Generation Libraries in Enhancing Multidisciplinary Research

Abstract
How well are research libraries positioned to meet the needs of today’s multidisciplinary research? What are the common needs across disciplines conducting such research? These are the questions the University of Calgary Libraries and Cultural Resources sought to answer through focused discussions among researchers extending over three days in the fall of 2015. With funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, we hosted workshops with researchers from three multidisciplinary research clusters of strategic priority to the University of Calgary – Arctic Studies, Smart Cities and Visual Analytics. External facilitators managed the various sessions and three disciplinary experts from other Canadian universities (Toronto, Carleton and Queens) contributed in broadening the scope of the inquiry. Library staff and representatives of the University’s Research Services Office acted principally as observers, but contributed as needed in identify existing research infrastructure capacities. In this project briefing, we will discuss the planning and conducting of these workshops, report on the common research support needs and themes, examine the implications for 21st century libraries in planning services and technologies and explore their role in the development of research platforms.
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Citation
Hickerson, T, Lippincott, J, Ruddock, K. & Sadler, S. (2016). The Role of Next Generation Libraries in Enhancing Multidisciplinary Research. Project briefing presented at the Spring Meeting for Coalition for Networked Information, San Antonio, TX, USA.