Purpose: The paper x-rayed the benefits of research support to academic librarians. The paper recommended that institution that desires to harness the research productivity of the academic librarians’ workforce must identify the factors that enhance research and also show commitment by providing such research support factors. The types of research support identified and discussed in this article include: different forms of leave/ time-out to pursue research; different forms of financial support /funding; support in terms of technological infrastructure / expertise, and assistance and training. This paper concludes that the provision of adequate research support will increase level of job satisfaction and reinforce loyalty to the institutions core values especially research, it will also lead to reduced truancy, absenteeism and much more.
Approach: the paper reviewed literature to reveal the various types of research support factors. The literature reviewed also provide evidence for the influence of research support on research output.
Findings: The paper showed that research support plays a key role in encouraging academic librarians for increased research output.
Originality/Value: This paper provided valuable insight into the varying types of support that may influence academic librarians’ intentions to produce, increase and sustain more research output.