Atlantic Provinces Library Association 2021 Conference

Increasing recognition of the value of knowledge mobilization within academia has led to new ideas about how research can be made accessible. Using visual depictions of research processes or results can lead to a more approachable, nuanced understanding of the research undertaken at universities. These ideas formed the foundation of the Research in View exhibit; created, curated, and hosted by the Mount Saint Vincent University Library, this exhibit featured the research of Mount students, staff, and faculty in art-based formats (images, sculpture, text, etc.). The exhibit encouraged researchers to consider innovative ways in which their research could be disseminated, promoted campus engagement and collaboration, and helped the Mount Library form stronger connections across the university in its efforts to bolster scholarly communication.
Through collaborative work with the MSVU Art Gallery and Research Office as well as a variety of academic departments, Research in View was an opportunity to share research being conducted at the university and encourage potential partnerships among researchers across disciplines. In addition, by promoting the Library as a centre of public-focused research dissemination and engagement, Research in View helped grow the Library’s scholarly communication and advocacy and outreach programme.
This presentation will examine changing ideas of knowledge dissemination and scholarly communications; explore library promotion and marketing; discuss relationship building with a variety of campus departments; suggest ways of utilizing existing library spaces for organizing exhibitions; and considers the value of art-centred spaces in academic libraries.