The Special Libraries Association (SLA) has pooled its research funds and now is offering a new SLA Research Grant incorporating the Steven I. Goldspiel Memorial Research Grant Fund.  SLA supports two types of proposals.  Firstly research projects focused on the needs and concerns of information professionals in special libraries and related venues, with its current focus being on evidence-based practice, as in the Special Libraries Association (SLA) Research Statement, "Putting Our Knowledge to Work" (www.sla.org/researchstatement).  Awards may be granted up to $25,000.  Secondly projects which directly benefit the operations of SLA and its units, by furthering the scientific, literary and educational purpose for which the association is organized and operated.  Awards may be granted up to $10,000.

This focus on evidence-based practice includes but is not limited to the following topics and approaches:

Impact of Information Professionals;

Roles of Information Professionals within organizations

Current/User Issues;

Core Competencies;

Measures of Productivity and Value;

Client/User Satisfaction Measures;

Grant applications are evaluated by SLA's Research Committee based on the purpose and objectives of the proposed project within the context of evidence-based practice, the significance of the topic to the profession, the project's methodology, qualifications of staff, and the appropriateness of the project's budget and timetable.

Research should focus on the demand for increased professional competence and accountability through consciously and consistently making professional-level decisions that are based on the strongest evidence of what works best for our clients.  Areas in which evidence-based practice may be applied are listed in SLA's revised Competencies for Information Professionals of the 21st Century and include selection and acquisition of information resources, methods of information access, selection and use of information technologies, and management of library and information services. Research techniques that support these competencies include: benchmarking, program evaluation, quality management, performance measurement, identifying best practices, and operations research.

The focus on Association operation projects should be on projects which directly benefit the operations of SLA and its members.  They should focus on projects which can be adapted for wider use within SLA's community, and may include publications, study grants, continuing education programs, public awareness activities, special studies and reports, and information dissemination efforts.

Application Information

The grant is announced internationally.  A new solicitation for applicants is made each year.  Application materials are available on SLA's website at http://www.sla.org/slaresearchgrant or by contacting: Director, Information Center, Special Libraries Association, 331 S. Patrick Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3501, USA; E-mail: resources@sla.org.

Timetable

Details of the 2008 timetable will be posted shortly.

Examples of Previous Research Grant Recipients

2007

'"Impulse for Growth!" Laying foundations for SLA membership acquisition and growth in Germany for 2008.' Michael Fanning and "Models of Embedded Librarianship: A Research Proposal."David Shumaker and Mary Talley.

2003

"A Survey to Support 'Evidence-Based Practice' in Special Libraries Serving Fire Service Personnel and Researchers in Public Safety and Homeland Security Areas." Dr. Linda C. Smith and Ms. Lian Ruan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.

2002

"The New Information Professional: Vision and Practice." Dr. Deborah Barreau, School of Information & Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA.

1997

"Using Information in the Virtual Office: How Special Libraries are Serving Telecommuters," Claire R. McInerney, School of Information Science, State University of New York at Albany, New York, USA.

Examples of Previous Endowment Fund Awards

Development of position profiles for information professionals in healthcare industries; applying the SLA Competencies and marketing the profession.

Grant to explore systems thinking perspectives: behaviors that support innovation in knowledge and information delivery.

Development of a knowledge management and sharing chapter web site structured and guided by SLA Competencies.

Support for the development of a country-wide database network for Nepal.

Support for a state-focused marketing and advertising campaign featuring the profession.