The UNLV University Libraries is ranked the 15th most productive academic library for academic research in the nation, according to a new study published in the May issue of College and Research Libraries.

“UNLV University Libraries faculty are continually searching for and conducting new and innovative research that impacts student learning and the library profession,” said Patricia Iannuzzi, dean of the UNLV University Libraries. “As the university pushes for Top Tier status, our librarians are already serving as practitioner-researchers, conducting scholarship that will shape the future of academic research libraries while helping students and faculty at UNLV conduct their own research.”

The ranking is based on the total number of peer-reviewed academic research articles published by library faculty between 2003 and 2012.

“Our library faculty are looked to as research leaders in the area of student success and the impact libraries have on student success in higher education,” said Pat Hawthorne, associate dean for research and education at UNLV University Libraries. “In addition to publishing, many of the library faculty have been invited to present research findings, serve as experts, and participate in panel discussions at workshops and conferences across the country, as well as internationally.”

Some recent examples of research being conducted by the UNLV University Libraries faculty include:

Melissa Bowles-Terry, head of educational initiatives, recently chaired a multi-institutional task force for the Greater Western Library Alliance examining the role university libraries and librarians play in supporting student retention and student success. The study, which included data from 10 institutions including UNLV, found that students who utilize library services and interacted with librarians were more likely to graduate than student who did not.

Cory Lampert, head of digital collections, and Silvia Southwick, retired metadata librarian, are conducting research on linked data to find ways to make the unique collections housed at UNLV more discoverable online for researchers across the globe.

Rosan Mitola, outreach librarian, Erin Rinto, teaching and learning librarian, and John Watts, head of knowledge production, have conducted research on peer-assisted learning in the libraries and its impact on student success. In addition to presenting finding at the Association of College and Research Libraries 2017 conference, they will be publishing a book on their research later this year.

University Libraries faculty have also published research on information literacy, the history of gaming, open access, and copyright issues in libraries.

Of the 20 universities ranked in the study, 17 are designated as Highest Research Activity (R1) Universities by the Carnegie Foundation. UNLV has set a goal to be recognized as a top tier public university in research, education, and community impact by 2025.

C&RL is the bi-monthly scholarly research journal published by the Association of College and Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association.