SCONUL Response to Research Support Libraries Group Final Report

SCONUL (the Society of University, National and College Libraries) welcomes the publication of the Report of the Research Support Libraries Group.

1. We concur with the Report's analysis of the key issues relating to the provision and organisation of information for researchers.

2. We support the objectives set out in the Report's recommendations, including the need for a more strategic approach to research information, and the proposed programme of action.

3. We suggest that its sponsors give further detailed consideration to several key issues, including:
   • the implications of the fact that research information and the tools to make use of it are very often of value to, and are used by, learners as well as researchers
   • the extent to which the many researchers who are based outside higher education institutions will benefit from the actions proposed
   • the need to give more prominence to the organisation and preservation of primary datasets and the role of dataset centres.

We look forward to working with, and being consulted by, the sponsors in future developments arising from the Report.

SCONUL represents the directors of library and information services in all the universities and most colleges of higher education in the UK, as well as the directors of the UK's national libraries. (We also represent our colleagues in counterpart positions in Ireland.)