The Research HubAT UNC LIBRARIES

“Libraries, traditionally focused on the products of scholarship, are now prompted to understand and support the processes of scholarship”

Karen Williams. A Framework for Articulating New Library Roles.

Foster researcher success by providing

active support throughout the

research lifecycle

Connects students and faculty to services, tools, programming, and technology to support research. It provides spaces for collaboration, shares and highlights research and creative output, and engages scholars.

Timeline

July 2013 Research Commons Planning Committee charged

November 2013 Final report submitted

March 2014 Staff reassigned to Hub efforts, design begins

May 2014 Material shifts begin

June 2014 Most furniture, fixtures, and technology for Davis Library is ordered

July-August 2014

Furniture and fixtures delivered and installed

August 2014 Soft launch of the Davis Research Hub

Core features• Skilled staff to support research• Spaces for consultation,

creation, and presentation• Cutting-edge technologies, with

training and support • Events that showcase faculty

and student research, and provide opportunities for interdisciplinary

• Davis Library

• Kenan Science Library

• Health Sciences Library

Points of engagement

Davis Library Research Hub

• Collaborative, bookable work spaces• Presentation space• GIS/Stats Open Lab• Digital scholarship consulting• Copyright consulting• Digital humanities support

Davis Library Hub Services

• GIS services

• Numeric data services

• Data analysis

• Data visualization

• Data management

• Data curation

Health Sciences Library Research Hub

• Collaborative work spaces

• Space for instruction and presentation

• Distance education and point to point videoconferencing

• Multipoint videoconferencing

HSL Hub Services

• Grant partnerships

• Funding source research

• NIH Public Access Policy Compliance

• Systematic reviews

• Data management assistance

• Reputation management

Kenan Science Library Research Hub

Makerspace3D design, printing and scanningArduino, Raspberry Pi and soldering stationCreativity center (drawing & modelling materials )

Co-working space Collaborative group work areaReservable group study rooms “Hearth” – comfortable seating

Kenan Hub Services

• 3D printing and scanning• 3D design consultations &

workshops• Support for classes and

research projects using maker technology

• Data and reputation management

• Company, industry, and market research consultations

Partnerships

Davis Library Partnerships

• Howard W. Odum Institute for Research in Social Science

• Center for Faculty Excellence

HSL Partners

• NC Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute (NC TraCS)

• Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP)

• REACH NC

Other Collaborators

• UNC Creator Space• Kenan Flagler Institute of Private

Enterprise: Research Services and KM• UNC Minor in Entrepreneurship• Carolina Digital Humanities Institute• Digital Innovation Lab

Staffing

Staffing in Davis Library

• New Department: Digital Research Services• Shifted existing staff from Library IT, Research

and Instructional Services, and CDLA• Two graduate assistants 40 hours/week &

student employees 40 hours/week• Two employees from Electronic Resources

Management contribute some hours to the Hub

Staffing in Kenan and HSL• No reorganizations or new staff• In Kenan Makerspace

• Two graduate students assist with Makerspace• One employee from UX Department contributes some

hours to the Makerspace

• At HSL• Efforts showcase existing HSL Research Services• New hires and training of existing staff will support new

service needs over time

Technology

Continual assessmentInvest in skills and facilitiesContinually build capacity Strengthen partnerships Demonstrate value

Future Plans

Thank you

Jill SextonHead of Digital Research ServicesUNC Chapel Hill Librariesjill@email.unc.edu

library.unc.edu/hublibrary.unc.edu/makerspace