From: "Loar, Ashley" [log in to unmask]
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:46:31 -0800

SAGE LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING LIBRARY-ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS IN
HIGHER EDUCATION

Leading independent academic and professional publisher SAGE has
commissioned a new research study to investigate library value. The
project, working together: evolving value for academic libraries, will
investigate the value of academic libraries for teaching and research
staff.

The research is being undertaken by LISU, a national research and
information centre based in the Research School of Informatics and the
Department of Information Science at Loughborough University (UK).

Commencing this month, the six month project will build on existing
research to identify how libraries can better market their services,
and how they can improve perceptions with key decision makers. Whilst
value can be defined in many ways, for example value to users, value
to the parent institution, or economic value, this project will
provide a global perspective on the issue of library value focusing on
the relationship between academic libraries and teaching and research
staff.

The research team will be undertaking eight case studies for the
project from January to March 2012. Libraries interested in taking
part are requested to contact LISU via the project website
(http://libraryvalue.wordpress.com).

The case studies of individual libraries and universities will be
undertaken with a mix of both research intensive and teaching
intensive institutions, and be drawn from three broad geographical
areas: two from the UK; four from the USA; and two from Scandinavia.
In order to give an indication of how typical the case study
experiences are within their wider regional and academic context, a
series of triangulation surveys will then be carried out to ascertain
the extent to which the issues and findings from the case studies
resonate with wider experience. Volunteers for the surveys are also
encouraged to contact the research team via the project website.

For further information about the project and to contact the research
team about participation, please visit
http://libraryvalue.wordpress.com.

###


Ashley Wrye Loar
PR Manager
SAGE Publications Inc