Guidelines for Librarians  

Guidelines for Librarians


  1. Collection Development
    • Relevant Materials: Ensure that the library collection includes a comprehensive range of resources relevant to the journal’s scope, including books, journals, databases, and other research materials.
    • Subscription Management: Maintain and manage subscriptions to key journals and databases that support the journal’s research areas. Stay updated on new publications and resources in the field.
    • Access to Back Issues: Provide access to back issues of relevant journals and ensure that digital archives are maintained for ease of access.
  2. Resource Accessibility
    • Cataloguing and Classification: Ensure all materials are accurately catalogued and classified to facilitate easy discovery and access by researchers.
    • Digital Access: Promote and facilitate access to digital resources, including e-journals, databases, and institutional repositories.
    • Interlibrary Loan Services: Offer interlibrary loan services to obtain materials not available in the library’s collection.
  3. Research Support
    • Research Assistance: Provide personalized research assistance to faculty, students, and other researchers. This includes helping them navigate databases, find relevant literature, and use citation management tools.
    • Literature Searches: Conduct comprehensive literature searches for researchers upon request, ensuring that they have access to the latest and most relevant research.
    • Research Guides: Create and maintain research guides that provide curated lists of resources, search strategies, and tips for conducting research in the journal’s focus areas.
  4. Instruction and Training
    • Workshops and Seminars: Offer workshops and seminars on topics such as database searching, reference management, plagiarism prevention, and academic publishing.
    • Information Literacy: Develop and deliver information literacy programs that teach researchers how to effectively locate, evaluate, and use information.
    • One-on-One Training: Provide one-on-one training sessions tailored to individual research needs.
  5. Institutional Repository Management
    • Repository Maintenance: Manage the institutional repository to ensure that all published articles from the journal are archived and accessible.
    • Open Access: Promote open access policies and help researchers deposit their work in the repository in compliance with institutional and funder mandates.
    • Metadata Quality: Ensure that metadata for repository items is accurate and enhances discoverability.
  6. Promotion and Outreach
    • Library Guides and Newsletters: Use library guides, newsletters, and social media to promote new issues of the journal, highlighting significant articles and research findings.
    • Collaboration with Faculty: Collaborate with faculty to promote the journal and its research, integrating it into course materials and reading lists where relevant.
    • Events and Exhibits: Organize events, exhibits, and displays that feature the journal’s research and contribute to raising awareness about its contributions to the field.
  7. Technical Support
    • Digital Tools: Provide support for digital tools and platforms used by researchers, such as citation management software, data analysis tools, and collaborative platforms.
    • Access Issues: Resolve access issues promptly, ensuring that researchers can access electronic resources seamlessly.
    • Tech Training: Offer training on using the library’s digital resources and tools, helping researchers maximize their effectiveness.
  8. Data Management
    • Data Management Plans: Assist researchers in creating data management plans (DMPs) to ensure that research data is properly handled, stored, and shared.
    • Data Repositories: Provide guidance on depositing data in appropriate data repositories, ensuring compliance with funder and journal requirements.
    • Data Preservation: Ensure long-term preservation of research data through institutional repositories or other data archiving solutions.
  9. Copyright and Licensing
    • Copyright Guidance: Provide guidance on copyright issues, helping researchers understand their rights and responsibilities when publishing.
    • Licensing Agreements: Negotiate and manage licensing agreements for digital resources, ensuring that they meet the needs of the journal’s researchers.
    • Fair Use and Permissions: Assist researchers in understanding and applying fair use principles, and obtaining permissions for the use of copyrighted materials.
  10. Continuous Professional Development
    • Stay Updated: Continuously update your knowledge of emerging trends and best practices in librarianship, research support, and academic publishing.
    • Professional Networks: Engage with professional networks and organizations to share knowledge, learn from peers, and stay informed about developments in the field.