The libraries at UW–Madison serve as critical support systems for the vast amount of scholarly research conducted across campus. But how well do their collections truly align with the research needs of the campus community?
The answer: quite well, according to new award-winning research led by iSchool Assistant Professor Chaoqun Ni. Working alongside PhD student Weiye Guand Xiying Mi and Anlin Yang from UW–Madison Libraries, Ni leveraged citation data to reveal insights about how well the libraries’ resources support faculty and student scholarship. The project recently won the “Best of Core Forum” award from the American Library Association (ALA).
The work also highlights the growing partnership between the iSchool and UW–Madison Libraries in research and operations, as the iSchool prepares to move into its new home in Morgridge Hall later this year. In addition, it shows the iSchool faculty continue to conduct cutting-edge research in the field of library science.
Investigating collection alignment
The study is an example of science-of-science research, which analyzes publication data to uncover patterns within the research enterprise. Ni, a leading scholar in the science-of-science field, applied her expertise by analyzing over 1.6 million references cited in more than 51,000 papers published by UW–Madison scholars between 2018 and 2022. Ni, Gu, and the team identified significant alignments, as well as some gaps, between the university’s research output and its library collections.
Overall, 72% of the references cited by university researchers during the time frame studied were available through UW-Madison Libraries. The university provided particularly strong coverage for journal articles, with nearly 95% of cited journal articles accessible through the libraries. These top-line numbers illustrate the crucial role libraries on campus can play for researchers, from graduate students to senior faculty.
Disciplinary disparities
The study also revealed notable disparities in library coverage across academic fields. Chemistry had the highest coverage, with 89% of cited references available through the library, while Arts and Humanities had significantly lower coverage rates—around 20%. These differences might partially result from factors specific to disciplinary publishing and citation practices, including discipline-specific citation requirements. Such variations suggest the need not only for targeted collection development strategies but also for improvements in indexing and database inclusivity to better serve diverse disciplinary research practices.
The two fields with the most citations in the data—clinical medicine and biomedical research—each had more than 80% coverage across the library system. Researchers in these fields produced a remarkable 585,000 citations available at UW–Madison Libraries between 2018 and 2022.
The research also found that newer publications were more likely to be covered by the libraries. Items published after 1990 had over 70% coverage, while publications from between 1951 and 1980, for example, had about a 50% chance of being covered. This trend highlights the challenges of maintaining access to older, yet still relevant, resources.
Implications and impact
The work has real ramifications for library collection management at UW–Madison and beyond. By identifying gaps in coverage, particularly for certain disciplines and resource types, the research provides data-driven lessons that can guide strategic decisions in library acquisitions and budgeting. This evidence-based approach ensures that library resources remain a vital support system for academic research and innovation.
Beyond UW–Madison, the study offers a replicable model for other universities looking to evaluate and improve their own library collections. Ni’s work provides a model for data-driven decision-making in academic libraries, reinforcing her impact on both library science and information policy. As academic research continues to evolve, university libraries must adapt to ensure they meet the changing needs of scholars.
Recognizing excellence in library research
The team’s research was recognized at the ALA’s Core Forum, where it won the “Best of Core Forum” award for its insightful contribution to library science. This recognition underscores the significance of their work in strengthening the role of university libraries in academic research.
As UW–Madison continues to foster a culture of research excellence, studies like this serve as a critical tool for ensuring that library resources evolve alongside scholarly advancements. By aligning collections with research needs, libraries can maximize their impact and continue to serve as indispensable pillars of scholarship.