Institutions often use the phrase “research and creative works” to describe scholarly activities happening on campus. This inclusive language supports artists and other scholars, but how does the library ensure that this support resonates with our audience? While researchers in the sciences and social sciences are familiar with research through qualitative and quantitative studies, research and data in the humanities and arts lack an agreed upon definition. Humanists study texts and objects, but in the creative arts there is disagreement regarding the concept of research. Some artists are unwilling to map their creative process to standard research methods, but these scholars work with items such as images, texts, datasets, and recordings, and create new works for dissemination. By drawing on research data management and information literacy principles, we can carefully consider how library support services include students and researchers in the arts.
This presentation will summarize initial steps taken toward an understanding of how creative practitioners, such as musicians and artists, engage with library support services at the University of New Mexico. Together, the audience and presenter will explore the meaning of “creative works” and obstacles for the creative disciplines at our various institutions.