Skip to main content
MLA - SLA 2023 Conference Main banner
Thank you to Wolters Kluwer
Final Program


Onsite Program
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Back
Video ViewAttendees 51

Paper: Program Description Abstract

Innovation & Research Practice

On Demand

Session: Innovation & Research Practice Papers 2

Expanding Library-based Research Support through Innovative Interdisciplinary Services: Academic Research Consulting and Services (ARCS)

Thursday, May 18, 2023
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM EDT
Location: 251C
Background: The George A. Smathers Libraries have a long history of identifying information service gaps and filling them through innovative hires (e.g., bioinformatics, geospatial analysis.) The addition of data management and informatics positions, as well as a growing technical skillset among existing librarians, provided the opportunity for synergy and collaboration in the library’s research support services. In 2018 the Academic Research Consulting and Services (ARCS) team – meant to provide such research support services – was introduced to the University of Florida campus. ARCS now includes 15 experts, and continues to support research and research-related instructional efforts across campus. This presentation addresses the need for such services; describes the services provided, subteams created, and collaborations developed throughout campus; and discusses ARCS’ plans for the future.

Description: ARCS provides expert support services throughout the research process – from research design, through data collection, analysis and management to publication and beyond. Team members have expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing, bioinformatics and genomics, data management and archiving, data science, data visualization, digital humanities, geospatial analysis, informatics, open science, public access compliance, publishing and copyright, research metrics and impact, research reproducibility, responsible conduct of research, statistical analysis, and systematic reviews. ARCS subteams have organically grown based on university needs and initiatives, including those related to AI, informatics training, and research metrics and impact. A partnership has been forged with Research Computing allowing unfunded students access to the university’s high-performance computing cluster. ARCS has developed close working relationships with the Office of Research, Research Computing, and the Center for Undergraduate Research, among other campus entities. ARCS members consult with faculty, students, and staff from throughout the university on projects for all disciplines and of all sizes, whether funded or not, and provide expertise to grant submissions at the pre-proposal as well as post-award stages. ARCS members provide research-related instruction in a variety of formats (course-integrated, library-created credit-bearing courses, workshops) and venues (laboratories, unit meetings, journal club).

Conclusion: Effective library-based research support can take many forms, and the inclusion of technological, methodological, and interdisciplinary expertise can successfully meet the needs of patrons and address campus research support gaps. Increasingly complex scholarship provides the rationale for these services being provided by the library since researchers are familiar with library support of all disciplines and researcher needs in information management, data, and publications are longtime library domains. A large team with diverse skillsets can create synergies in library-based research support, and facilitate partnerships between the libraries, other research-support entities on campus, and individual researchers. ARCS at the University of Florida can serve as a model for other institutions looking for innovative approaches to library-based research support.