Summer of writing: Supporting the research and publishing needs of academic librarians

Abstract

Academic librarians are often expected to publish within the field of library and information sciences (LIS). This pursuit can be challenging, given the lack of research support both in the workplace and incorporated into the Master of Library and Information Sciences (MLIS) degree. To address this research skills gap for LIS professionals, we developed a workshop series which we led in the summer of 2023, based on Belcher's book Writing your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks. This program was tailored to LIS research. For our program, each week, we focused on different goals, from working on arguments to editing our manuscripts. Week by week, participants built and assessed their manuscripts, relying on a collaborative approach to offer support.

This paper takes an autoethnographic approach to the case study method, incorporating reflections of the researchers along with a robust literature review. This literature review shows a portrait of the needs, challenges, and supports offered to academic librarians. In this case study, we explore how Belcher's book can be adapted to the LIS context, examining the strengths and weaknesses of applying this resource to this discipline. The paper offers practical and theoretical takeaways from this program for others seeking to run similar, LIS-specific programming, drawing from the literature review and the case study to identify key areas of focus for supporting new LIS researchers. This paper demonstrates that there is a significant need for research and writing support, as well as fostering a sense of community among academic librarians.