DIY Market Reports – STEM and Business Librarians Collaborate

When Altamirano worked at the Georgia Institute of Technology, she received questions about obtaining market reports about a STEM subject. Since these reports cost more than $2000.00, she had to tell the researchers that it was not possible to buy the report because of costs and availability only to one user. However, if the researchers were interested, she could consult another librarian so that the researcher could create a similar document. Altamirano asked Patricia Kenly to collaborate. After examining the Table of Contents of the reports, they devised a research strategy. With Kenly’s business knowledge, the researcher was able to find information pertinent to the current status and future trends of the business model. Altamirano searched STEM databases (including patent resources) to show the researcher about the development and current research of the product or invention. This activity can be replicated in all academic libraries to provide a valuable service.