Lessons in grey literature: Applying study results to library practice

Abstract

Working with grey literature (GL) in their libraries, the authors bring a breadth of experience with GL, including archiving GL and helping users locate GL for use in their teaching and research, such as systematic reviews, and conducted three research studies focusing on discoverability, preservation and faculty perceptions and use of GL. A survey of 100+ article indexes and 100+ institutional repositories (IRs) found GL in most resources but nearly all lacked comprehensive inclusion or adequate methods to limit to GL. Overall searching in the IRs was rudimentary at best. A Web survey of faculty members in a wide variety of disciplines revealed that they are creating, using, and citing many types of GL. Faculty discover GL most often via Google Scholar and professional contacts and the most-used types were conference papers, theses and dissertations, and technical reports. Interviews with faculty members in numerous subject areas found that in addition to using GL, many created it, often for lay audiences. GL was used to supplement textbooks, communicate with community partners, and in other nontraditional settings. Searching for GL was a particular challenge. In the poster the authors discuss recommendations developed over the course of this research for ways librarians can support GL. These include but are not limited to enhancing web stability of grey literature via depositing grey literature in institutional repositories or subject repositories, thoughtfully and purposely emphasizing new and diverse voices, raising awareness of GL’s role in systematic reviews and promoting its use in teaching.