Helicity, CAPE, and Libraries: Exploring How Academic Libraries Support Meteorology Students through Research Guides

Potential Meteorologists wishing to work for the National Weather Service (NWS), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, must complete specific coursework requirements during their undergraduate and/or graduate studies. To pinpoint potential employees, the NWS identifies colleges and universities in the United States of America with math-intensive coursework that prepares students for careers as a scientist with the NWS.

This research study sought to explore how academic libraries support the needs of both undergraduate and graduate students through the implementation of Meteorology-specific Research Guides, developed by academic libraries at NWS designated institutions. The researcher made the choice to only use the current 45 NWS undergraduate/graduate colleges and universities. Of those 45 institutions, 8 academic libraries do not have Research Guides for Meteorology. The study compared and analyzed physical and electronic materials, data resources, links, and other resources to develop an understanding of how academic libraries support students.

A guide to typical Meteorology resources is highlighted in this presentation, as well as unique (but important) outliers. A discussion on findings, methods used, and perceived knowledge gaps based on the NWS student requirements will be shared. These findings can be adapted by STEM librarians serving Meteorology departments to enhance Research Guides, while also furthering Meteorology faculty support in their mission to prepare the next generations of Meteorologists.