104 Survey Results: Survey Questions and Responses
While we fully expect our library to play a substantial role in supporting digital scholarship on a variety
of fronts (including but not limited to working with individual researchers, as well as collaborating
with academic departments), we do not think that a specifically bounded role can be fully defined. This
question is so dependent on local factors that we are strongly reluctant to try and provide a specific and
concrete answer.
With the changing nature of scholarship we only see an increase in the library’s role in advancing
scholarship in the digital era. To that end we will need to shift resources, understand knowledge gaps,
and address them accordingly.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
31. Please enter any additional information regarding support for digital scholarship activities at
your library that may assist us in accurately analyzing the results of this survey. N=17
As mentioned, support for digital scholarship at Emory is provided by many entities across the
Libraries and Information Technology Services (LITS) enterprise. The Emory Libraries and the
Emory Center for Digital Scholarship partner closely on many projects and provide joint support for
a range of services. In addition to the library-specific positions noted in the document that support
digital scholarship, positions from ECDS that heavily support digital scholarship include a Digital Text
Specialist and a GIS Librarian position.
At a meta-level: As a fairly new AUL, I found that there was no single internal source of information for
me for this survey—mirroring the scattered nature of our activities. I asked three different departments
for input to this survey, and found the differences in their perspectives quite interesting as I compiled
them. (You may have noted different voices in our comments.) Thank you for the opportunity
to contribute!
Clear visions and goals are needed to let go of legacy library services to embrace digital scholarship
projects and partnerships. People are wearing too many hats to focus on DS. To build capacity, provide
a structure to allow staff to rotate in and out of digital scholarship projects.
DS skills are in high demand, and are transferable to other organizations and sectors. As a result, staff
turnover and recruitment are an ongoing challenge for sustainability and continuity of DS services.
I think it’s important to note that support does occur across the library, and that has served us well. We
could use some better coordination, which will be provided by the digital scholarship specialist.
Lessons learned: Libraries can be a neutral ground for discussing, learning, and producing digital
scholarship. ‘Tis better to frame digital scholarship engagement as research/pedagogy partnerships,
rather than service or support. Digital scholarship is scholarship, not service—faculty have fought
long and hard to gain this ground. We need to change our mindset and language to reflect such. If the
library is viewed as a service bureau (particularly if there are fees for services), there can be no true
collaboration or scholarly partnership. Libraries will miss opportunities for growth and development
and academic engagement in the community. Engage the anticipated community early in the thinking
process. This generates ownership, buy-in, and advocacy. Do not wait until you have the perfect design
or plan. Look for opportunities to involve people from around the library—spread knowledge and
expertise. Do not immediately seek ways to spend a lot of money. Technology, methods, and space are
all great as far as they go, but nothing trumps building community. Seek and use grants and external
funding for specific projects (or portions thereof) or seed money to achieve a new level or expansion.
Fund everything else with regular budget. Be creative. Doing the previous entry moves any effort in
digital scholarship into a sustainable future. Consider using parts of people’s time rather than creating
While we fully expect our library to play a substantial role in supporting digital scholarship on a variety
of fronts (including but not limited to working with individual researchers, as well as collaborating
with academic departments), we do not think that a specifically bounded role can be fully defined. This
question is so dependent on local factors that we are strongly reluctant to try and provide a specific and
concrete answer.
With the changing nature of scholarship we only see an increase in the library’s role in advancing
scholarship in the digital era. To that end we will need to shift resources, understand knowledge gaps,
and address them accordingly.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
31. Please enter any additional information regarding support for digital scholarship activities at
your library that may assist us in accurately analyzing the results of this survey. N=17
As mentioned, support for digital scholarship at Emory is provided by many entities across the
Libraries and Information Technology Services (LITS) enterprise. The Emory Libraries and the
Emory Center for Digital Scholarship partner closely on many projects and provide joint support for
a range of services. In addition to the library-specific positions noted in the document that support
digital scholarship, positions from ECDS that heavily support digital scholarship include a Digital Text
Specialist and a GIS Librarian position.
At a meta-level: As a fairly new AUL, I found that there was no single internal source of information for
me for this survey—mirroring the scattered nature of our activities. I asked three different departments
for input to this survey, and found the differences in their perspectives quite interesting as I compiled
them. (You may have noted different voices in our comments.) Thank you for the opportunity
to contribute!
Clear visions and goals are needed to let go of legacy library services to embrace digital scholarship
projects and partnerships. People are wearing too many hats to focus on DS. To build capacity, provide
a structure to allow staff to rotate in and out of digital scholarship projects.
DS skills are in high demand, and are transferable to other organizations and sectors. As a result, staff
turnover and recruitment are an ongoing challenge for sustainability and continuity of DS services.
I think it’s important to note that support does occur across the library, and that has served us well. We
could use some better coordination, which will be provided by the digital scholarship specialist.
Lessons learned: Libraries can be a neutral ground for discussing, learning, and producing digital
scholarship. ‘Tis better to frame digital scholarship engagement as research/pedagogy partnerships,
rather than service or support. Digital scholarship is scholarship, not service—faculty have fought
long and hard to gain this ground. We need to change our mindset and language to reflect such. If the
library is viewed as a service bureau (particularly if there are fees for services), there can be no true
collaboration or scholarly partnership. Libraries will miss opportunities for growth and development
and academic engagement in the community. Engage the anticipated community early in the thinking
process. This generates ownership, buy-in, and advocacy. Do not wait until you have the perfect design
or plan. Look for opportunities to involve people from around the library—spread knowledge and
expertise. Do not immediately seek ways to spend a lot of money. Technology, methods, and space are
all great as far as they go, but nothing trumps building community. Seek and use grants and external
funding for specific projects (or portions thereof) or seed money to achieve a new level or expansion.
Fund everything else with regular budget. Be creative. Doing the previous entry moves any effort in
digital scholarship into a sustainable future. Consider using parts of people’s time rather than creating
