Software selection Policies: Do they exist?

In the ongoing research study, we explore: How can libraries establish selection guidelines for the evaluation, acquisition, and provision of software and technologies, which foster digital scholarship research methods? Librarians typically develop selection policies for guiding their decisions on resources (for example books, journals, films, etc.) to acquire for patron access. The goal of these policies is to ensure the library can support community needs within its limited resourcing and fiscal budget. However, in the context of modern research, and more specifically research frequently referred to as digital scholarship research or digital humanities, traditional selection policies lack criteria and guidance for selecting software integral to this research.  

Digital scholarship research (an umbrella term that incorporates digital humanities) employs digital tools and techniques, such as visualization, textual analysis, data mining, digital storytelling, image processing, etc, that enable scholars to innovate and explore new research methodologies to advance discipline specific ideas and theories which otherwise would not be possible. Community digital needs vary from one research project to another, and have varying financial or human resourcing demands to implement and maintain long term. As digital scholarship becomes an integrated aspect of research in many disciplines, the libraries confront the challenge to sustainably collect and support a range of technologies that meet community demands. 

Our methodology to explore existing software selection and collection strategies to support digital scholarship research includes the following steps: 

• Literature review
• Performed an environmental scan of Canadian and American institutions to identify those with centres dedicated to supporting digital scholarship research.
• Sent a survey to institutions that fit our criteria. The survey was managed through Qualtrics.
• Based on survey responses, we are requesting semi-structured follow-up interviews from members directly involved in the centres, to collect information about current processes used for selecting software. Although interviews will be scheduled at dates after the conference, we will present the rationale for the interview questions and our criteria for participation. Where possible, we will also share anecdotal evidence of successful and unsuccessful software selection approaches.

The aim in disseminating the results is to build a body of research that guides librarians in producing modern selection policies, which better address current and future research needs across disciplines. The results may help librarians identify gaps in accessibility and equity as it relates to the collection and dissemination of digital software. 

Recording: https://youtu.be/xwE1ZLir2TY