Introduction: Librarians traditionally support evidence synthesis (ES) by refining research questions, designing and executing searches, and providing methodological guidance. However, given the opportunity, librarians can be members of the research team beyond the search stage, and even provide leadership. Two librarians recently provided project management support for rapid living evidence syntheses for the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Description: COVID-END, a pan-Canadian COVID-19 evidence network, was commissioned by PHAC to produce eight rapid living evidence syntheses (LESs) on public health and social measures for reducing transmission of COVID-19. Completed by teams across Canada, each LES had three updates due at 6-week intervals. We each supported the LES on the effectiveness of masks and on the unintended consequences/outcomes of masking, respectively. Beyond the search stage, we created citation screening support documents, resolved screening conflicts, designed data extraction forms, led data extraction and verification, managed data, drafted reports, and kept each project running on time.
Outcomes: Our teams each submitted our deliverables on time with appropriate methodological rigour. Lessons learned include the importance of negotiating scope with contractors and funders, handling tight timelines, and tips and tricks for making the most of review software and complementary programs such as Microsoft Excel.
Discussion: By integrating librarians as project managers, our teams benefitted from the organizational skills and ES expertise many of us possess. In turn, we enhanced our project management and ES skills, and we now provide improved support to other ES teams.