Hickerson, H. Thomas2020-09-102020-09-102020-03-10Hickerson, H. T. (2020). A New Synthesis: Research Resources to Research Experiences. Address to the Charleston Conference, March 2020.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112506https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/38176To appear in the Charleston Conference Proceedings in October 2020.Libraries should develop a new model for providing information resources and analytical tools for the use of scholars working in the current multidisciplinary research environment. This model, A New Synthesis, based on today’s research experience should replace the present concept of the “collection budget.” Sources are proliferating and traditional scholarly resources are no longer at the core. Research itself has changed. Previously, finding information was primary, but now information is plentiful and today’s challenges are to understand, analyze, and extract insight from these vast resources. To address this challenge, newly designed libraries are appearing that are radically different, reconceptualizing learning spaces, technological infrastructure, and research labs for scholars and students. Yet, the concept of the collection budget is little changed. We must embrace a paradigm that allows us to envision holistically the development and investment necessary to support current research. To enable expanded capacity for supporting today’s Grand Challenge research and to ensure the critical relevancy of academic libraries in this endeavor, we must employ a new synthesis. Sources can no longer be viewed independently from the tools needed to analyze them. Critical elements include: redeploying funds to an array of open platforms; shifting the focus from access to knowledge creation; and investing in spaces, technology, and people that will help researchers solve problems in new ways. We are at a moment when building these services and placing them at the heart of libraries requires fundamental organizational and financial change. Reconceiving current spending on collections is essential to this change.engUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Academic Research and University Libraries:Creating a New Model for Collaborationresearchacademic librariesconference paper