Robertson Library to Increase Access to Leading Social Sciences and Humanities Journals

Social sciences and humanities students and researchers in PEI will soon have direct access to many of the world's leading electronic journals and resources through the Robertson Library at UPEI.

More than half of all academic researchers and students in Canada are engaged in the social sciences and humanities. Their work is recognized as having an enormous impact on all aspects of Canadian society. Now the Canada Foundation for Innovation has announced a $19.1 million investment to support a new infrastructure for social sciences and humanities research. The funds have been awarded to the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) and#151; a consortium of Canadian universities that provides desktop access to research content through licensing and purchase agreements with Canadian and international publishers. The University of Prince Edward Island is a member of this national network.

"This new service through the Canadian Research Knowledge Network will significantly enhance our access to scholarly information in a cost-effective way," says Mark Leggott, University Librarian. "National collaborative initiatives like this are powerful tools that help us create a level playing field for students and researchers across the country. Here in PEI, we will all benefit and#150; students, educators, and members of the public who are carrying out research in these important areas." He adds that expanded access to social sciences and humanities information is a boost to researchers in the natural and health sciences as well because of the increasing importance of interdisciplinary research.

"The new digital content infrastructure will make a profound difference to the way that people in Prince Edward Island conduct research in the social sciences and humanities," says Dr. Katherine Schultz, Vice-President of Research Development at UPEI. "The scope of this access extends beyond the library as a physical place to the desktops of researchers and students across the province."

The new initiative is an expansion of an already successful CRKN program that provides researchers with access to international content in the natural and health sciences.