I think the answer varies from library to library.  In academic libraries in the United States, the key factor at the moment is information literacy and our role as teachers of information literacy.  I still believe other services, such as reference, are also important, but that requires more marketing these days because users think that Google will provide whatever information they need.  Whether any of our services is sustainable depends on budget.  As libraries are "cost centers", we must market to our administrations as well as our users in order to ensure we have the resources to provide whatever services we deem critical for our institutions.

Lenuta -

Generally, interlibrary loan services are an essential need for optimizing research potential. 

Librarians knowledgeable of databases who can provide requested guidance can also be highly useful. 

Further, if appropriate for the organization, I think that help with archiving and archival retrieval could be a valuable service.

Thanks - Jim

Thank you both for your valuable answers. Some of your suggestions were in my mind too. As a reference librarian I have many things in common with information literacy programs, information retrieval systems (as online library catalogs, scientific databases or digital repositories). I didn't think of interlibrary loan although I recommend it to our students in many situations. I wish you all the best!

reference service will play an important role as far as role of libraries in research process is concerned.

I agree with the answers received so far, and would like to add an emerging role i.e. identifying appropriate journals and their open access options to meet grant funders' requirements.  Sherpa Romeo is useful for this.  http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/index.php

Assistance with searching and saving searches is helpful.

Training on reference management software is generally appreciated.

Thank you, Faizul and Anne!

I've already included open access and reference services on my list. But, your arguments are very valuable to me. As for reference management software, it is a subject really close to my soul. It is also on my list, thought to be integrated within information literacy programs.

Thank you all again! I wish you all a Happy New Year and may all your dreams come true!

Lenuta

Thank you for your point of view, Lori! I agree that managing retrieval is a valuable research library service being also the librarian's secret weapon.

Recommend article Laura Saunders from Simmons School of Library and Information Science (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009913331500052X). In which the author delivers the scale of modern libraries trends on the analysis of more than 60 strategic plans of academic libraries.

Also note the demands of time in the library profession, and today is the emergence of demand for such specialization as Data Librarian, Research Data Librarian (eg https://www.alia.org.au/search/node/Data%20Librarian). Requirements - University degree, knowledge of modern technologies and standards expertise in data management and understanding of the life cycle of research, help to use Website data analysis and information needs of researchers preparing training materials to meet those needs.

This indicates that the areas of services required by society, and in particular of the scientific community libraries.

Thank you, Oleh, for your useful comments!

Librarians need to think about how they can provide "real" evidence of their impact upon users and students.

Within academic libraries, this requires connecting student usage of professional services (reference questions, library instruction) with student success.  To achieve this level of understanding requires tracking individual students that use professional library services with grade, retention, and completion data.

This is a new concept for academic librarians but we must evolve our thinking of data beyond gate counts, holdings, and circulation statistics  to quantifiable evidence of our professional services as librarians upon individual student success.  

I agree with Aline that information literacy is one of the key research servises for an academic library. Promoting open access publications by supporting researchers with assistance in meeting the 'article processing charges'. 

Hi Lenuta, It depends a little bit on what you mean by Research Library.  Most academic libraries in the UK for example serve a range of users from first year undergraduate to post doctoral students.  Some good answers here.  I would add that researchers should be treated as a separate group. In particular they value help that directly impacts their research.  That often means a Subject Librarian who can tailor library services that already exist to their specific topic. Just as an example. They might need help using bibliographic software or search help using the databases relevant to their topic.  A's researchers often come to institutions where they didn't do their original degree, some for of audit of skills is useful to find out where they are in terms of library awareness and help them get to where they need to be. So I would suggest a dedicated Subject Librarian lead service is essential. 

I also agree with the above responses, in most cases researchers always think they know better on how get research information.  Skilled librarians  are required to assist  researchers during their research process. This can be done through Information Literacy as Aline stated above and librarians should know how to create awareness to these researchers. Through IL the gap can be closed and the value of librarians can be recognized.

From this perspective, I believe research data management is one of the most important activities nowadays

Hi, I fully agree with the point of Mr. Robert Coravu as research data management become very important now in R&D related libraries. Regards

Interesting answers.  I would add that the librarian should provide guidance on ensuring the quality of the research by highlighting standards and guidelines for methodological quality and integrity.  Identifying tools to ensure this happens.  In fact, flagging the need in advance so that by the time you are contacted, they haven't missed the boat in terms of what should have been saved or documented etc.