Future‐proofing: the academic library's role in e‐research support

The aim of this case study is to describe a project created to enhance e‐research support activities within an Australian university. Within the university sector, e‐research support activities are becoming more sophisticated due to increased research activity and funding both nationally and internationally.

The paper case studies a project undertaken within an academic library to increase its capacity to offer e‐research support to the research community. The university's research community and research support staff are key players in this project.

The outcomes of the project have been successfully achieved. However, the project work should continue and ideally become core business in order to keep pace with developments in e‐research. The continual skills development of the university's researchers and research support staff in e‐research is imperative in the university becoming a competitive research institution.

Although a single case study, the work has been contextualised within the national research agenda and benchmarked with other universities conducting similar activities.

The paper describes a project model that can be adapted within an academic library without requiring external or specialist skills. It is also scalable and can be applied at a divisional or broader level.

The paper highlights the current drivers for research investment in Australia and provides a model for how universities can leverage this investment and contribute towards successful e‐research activity.