Toward the development of a framework for research collaboration between public libraries and universities

This project investigates the research needs, practices, and components of successful research partnerships via a grounded theory analysis of in-depth interviews with public library staff members holding leadership roles. Our community partner indicated that they would like to strengthen their capacity to strategically identify research needs, select or seek out research partners to help them meet these needs, and for both using and disseminating research findings among their networks. By documenting how these institutions use and engage in research, this project will aid university researchers and public libraries in building partnerships characterized by an acute awareness of each others' goals, strengths, and limitations. HPL will play a vital role in developing interview questions, recruitment, in authoring the final report, and knowledge dissemination.