The library, an essential companion through the research lifecycle: From conception to publication

Abstract

Hosted by the General Library of the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez (UPRM), the Graduate Research and Innovation Center (GRIC), inaugurated in September 2016, is changing the institutional research ecosystem through the library engagement with the research scholars. In two years, 803 unique users (689 graduate students, 104 faculty members, and 10 guests) have visited the GRIC 22,877 times. With our partners, we have celebrated 211 activities and reached 4,343 people. One of the most distinctive aspect of the GRIC is that, since its conception, it was built on their users’ needs. Using the input of graduate students and faculty members, the designed space encompasses state-of-the-art furniture adaptable to different learning environments and powerful cutting-edge technologies to support research and innovation. The holistic services include support for academic writing, scholarly communication, research methodology, digital scholarship, and data management. The GRIC, through its services, activities, and collections, embodies a disruptive model to foster STEM education within academic libraries and redefines its role to support students attainment and success.