Navigating projects in academic libraries: A scoping review of project management applications

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of project-based work in academic libraries, there is a notable variance among academic libraries in their application of formal project management methods. This scoping review examines peer-reviewed academic literature to uncover examples of formal project management methods, techniques, and tools being utilized in academic libraries in order to identify broader trends about the methodologies used, the settings in which they are applied, and the successes or challenges the libraries have experienced. The study concludes with recommendations for future research and a call for a more rigorous integration of project management training in library science education, to better prepare librarians for the increasingly project-oriented nature of library work.