University Libraries and Science and Technology Parks: Reasons for Collaboration

TLDR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the relationship between university libraries and science and technology parks as well as the role of these libraries in the information management of incubated firms, and revealed that the library-STP relationship underpin links between parks and universities.

Abstract: Abstract The article analyzes both the relationship between university libraries and science and technology parks (STPs) as well as the role of these libraries in the information management of incubated firms. This relationship with Spanish STPs is also compared to the relationship with parks around the world. Several stakeholders involved in two Spanish parks were interviewed, so a sample made up of both parks’ management, the three university libraries with which they are related to and 121 firms incubated in these parks. The results were compared to results taken from a survey on 107 parks members of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation and 77 libraries related to those parks. The study revealed that the library-STP relationship underpin links between parks and universities. The IASP members who receive services from related university libraries show the value of library-STP collaboration. It is a first analytical approach to the library-STP relationship in the entrepreneurial university context. A series of actions to strengthen this relationship and better benefit incubated firms is also included.