2026-06-04 –, Room #1 Language: English
Introduction: The evidence synthesis (ES) team at Brock University Library provides multi-faceted support for researchers including a work plan to guide and document consultations, a workshop series and a learning guide. Each of these supports contained similar content but with a different structure, resulting in gaps and missed learning opportunities.
Description: In 2025, we revised our work plan to more closely align with the natural flow of ES project development. We also overhauled our workshop series – in which participants are paired with a librarian -- to mirror the work plan. As a result, ES researchers can use these resources to create content to populate a protocol for their reviews. The structure and content of our learning guide are also being reworked accordingly to integrate with the work plan and workshops. We are shifting towards learner-focused objectives instead of a how-to approach featuring lists of recommended resources. We are also threading equity and AI considerations throughout our materials and presentations.
Outcomes: Researchers have provided positive comments about the 2025 updates; additional feedback is expected following the spring 2026 workshops and pending completion of the learning guide.
Discussion: Lessons learned and future directions will be reported on within the conference presentation.
Elizabeth Yates is a Research Librarian at Brock University, where she leads the Library’s evidence synthesis team. Before earning her MLIS and joining Brock in 2013, she spent 19 years as a newspaper reporter and editor. Elizabeth is chair of the CHLA-ABSC Committee on Research. Her research, professional and personal interests include assessing search strategies in systematic reviews, investigating evidence synthesis support structures in libraries and fostering 2S&LGBTQ+ inclusion. While set to retire from Brock in July, she hopes to continue doing evidence synthesis work.
Kymberly is a Teaching & Learning Librarian who supports Brock's School of Business and Faculty of Education. She is a member of the library's Evidence Synthesis Working Group which provides a tiered structure for supporting evidence synthesis projects on campus.