LRRT (Library Research Round Table)

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The mission of the Library Research Round Table (LRRT) is to contribute toward the extension and improvement of library research; to provide public program opportunities for describing and evaluating library research projects and for disseminating their findings; to inform and educate ALA members concerning research techniques and their usefulness in obtaining information with which to reach administrative decisions and solve problems; and expand the theoretical base of the field. LRRT also, serves as a forum for discussion and action on issues related to the literature and information needs for the field of library and information science.

Learn more about LRRT on the ALA website.

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2025 Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research

  • 1.  2025 Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research

    Posted Feb 25, 2025 10:00 AM

    The Library Research Round Table is pleased to announce the 2025 Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research:

    Ben Rawlins

    Associate Dean for Outreach, Engagement and Collections

    William T. Young Library, University of Kentucky

    "Are transformative agreements worth it? An analysis of open access publication data at the University of Kentucky." Library Resources & Technical Services 68, no. 1 (2024).

    https://journals.ala.org/index.php/lrts/article/viewFile/8211/11446. Click or tap if you trust this link." rel="noopener">https://journals.ala.org/index.php/lrts/article/viewFile/8211/11446

    Rachel E. Scott Editor, Library Resources & Technical Services, nominated the article, noting that it "investigates the costs and value of transformative agreements at the University of Kentucky and within the broader context of the Southeastern Conference and benchmark institutions. The study boasts clear methodology and reporting, rich data, and a deep exploration of whether transformative agreements from commercial publishers are worth their costs." The Shera jurors noted that the research problem is clearly stated, with a strong focus on evaluating the financial and strategic implications of these agreements. The methodology is well-executed, including comparative data from multiple institutions. OA publishing and database contracts are a timely and important issue for libraries. The researcher asked questions relevant to research universities and laid out a strong methodology for collecting and analyzing the data. The author gives very clear notes on how data was gathered and collated so another institution could replicate this focusing on their data vs peers.

    2025 Jurors

    Giovanna Badia, Associate Librarian, McGill University

    Samaneh Borji, Ph.D. Student in Information Science , University of South Carolina

    Cara Calabrese, Acquisitions & Access Librarian, Miami University Libraries 

    Dempsey, Paula, Shera Awards Committee Chair, LRRT Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Associate Professor /Reference Librarian, University of Illinois Chicago

    Katie Klein , Doctoral Candidate , University of South Carolina 

    Jessica Kohout-Tailor, Undergraduate Experience Librarian, Clemson University

    Yin Zhang, Professor, School of Information, Kent State University

    Karen R. Harker, Chair, Library Research Round Table Executive Committee
    Librarian
    University of North Texas Libraries
    Denton, Texas 76203
    940-565-2688



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    Karen Harker
    2024-2025 Chair, LRRT Steering Committee
    Collection Assessment Librarian
    University of North Texas
    She/Her/Hers
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