New Knowledge Services for Grey Literature: Innovative Ways to Improve Our Services in China

Abstract

Purpose—Since the days of keeping pamphlets and newspaper clippings in a vertical file, how to get deeper knowledge from the grey literature and other numerous resources is more and more important. To support the scholars or scientists deeply and efficiently, new knowledge service appears in the ranks of library services with a new look, and highlights its increasingly important role. And it is increasingly becoming a distinctive signifier of excellence and consequently distinguish a library in Chinese university libraries. Despite an emerging picture worldwide, a lack of published research or library practices has made it difficult to gain an accurate overview of new knowledge services to support researching on grey literature in China. This paper aims to introduce new knowledge services for grey literature are provided by the Peking University library specifically focuses on those that meet the additional criteria of placing the Peking University library as either the first to introduce the service in China or the only library in China with the particular service offering, and finally show a comprehensive framework of new knowledge services in China for librarians around the world.

Design/methodology/approach—A qualitative approach was used to address the two research questions “Which new knowledge services for grey literature are provided by libraries in the current era?” and “Which knowledge services for grey literature does Peking University library provide?”, through the use of a mixed methods research, this paper highlights knowledge service offerings considered within the literature and also within the Peking University library.

Findings—This paper reveals knowledge services as distinctive signifiers of excellence in China. In this regard, within the Peking University library, services offered to for grey literature were found to incorporate knowledge service themes and prove the Peking University library as the outstanding provider of knowledge services.

Originality/value—Our findings highlight a range of creative library programs that will assist librarians in improving knowledge services for grey literature. This paper will be of interest to public and school libraries across the world. The paper will also provide systematic review that is readily available for professionals and academician.