Postdoctoral Scholars: A Forgotten Library Constituency?

• Published in: Science & technology libraries (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 76 - 79
• Main Authors: O'Grady, Tina, Beam, Pauline S.
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Binghamton, NY Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2011; Haworth Press; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Bibliothéconomie & sciences de l’information; Documents; evaluation; Exact sciences and technology; Governments; Graduate students; Graduate studies; Information and communication sciences; information needs; Information science. Documentation; information services; Librarians; Libraries; Library & information sciences; Library and information science. General aspects; library outreach; Library resources; library services; library surveys; Policies; postdoctoral scholars; Professional aspects; Professional aspects : training, employment; program development; Researchers; Scholars; Science; Science education; Sciences and techniques of general use; Sciences sociales & comportementales, psychologie; Searching; Skills; Social & behavioral sciences, psychology; User services; Evaluation; postdoctoral scholars; Program; library services; library surveys; information services; research; Information need; Information service; program development; Information source; library resources; information needs; library outreach
• ISSN: 0194-262X; 1541-1109; 1541-1109
• DOI: 10.1080/0194262X.2011.545680

Postdoctoral scholars are highly productive researchers employed by academic institutions, nonprofits, government, and private industry in a variety of fields, particularly in the sciences. Because of the research-focused nature of their positions, they have strong needs for information, search skills, publication support, and other library resources and services. Librarians should consider the needs of postdocs in their institutions and endeavor to match resources, services, and policies to the needs of this productive and possibly underserved group.