The Value of Academic Libraries Initiative:A Briefing, A Discussion, and

An Opportunity for Engagement

Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe & Mary Ellen Davis

9th Performance Measurement Assessment Conference

The Context for Value

(Pritchard, 1996)

Few libraries exist in a vacuum, accountable only to themselves. There is always a larger context for assessing library quality, that

is, what and how well does the library contribute to achieving the

overall goals of the parent constituencies?

What’s the Evidence?

Build capacity for data-driven advocacy

•align libraries with institutional outcomes•enable librarians to apply & extend the research base on the value of academic and research libraries•empower librarians to carry out local work•foster professional collaborations•contribute to assessment in higher education

http://www.acrl.ala.org/value/

The Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report

Define outcomes Create or adopt systems for assessment management Determine what libraries enables students, faculty, student

affairs professionals, administrators and staff to do. Develop systems to collect data on individual library user

behavior, while maintaining privacy. Record and increase library impact on student enrollment. Link libraries to improved student retention and graduation

rates. Review course content, readings, reserves, and assignments. Document and augment library advancement of student

experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of quality. Track and increase library contributions to faculty research

productivity. Continue to investigate library impact on faculty grant

proposals and funding, a means of generating institutional income.

Demonstrate and improve library support of faculty teaching. Create library assessment plans. Promote and participate in professional development. Mobilize library administrators. Leverage library professional associations.

Reco

mm

enda

tions

– student enrollment– student retention and

graduation rates– student success– student achievement– student learning– student experience

Research Agenda:

– faculty research productivity

– faculty grant proposals and funding

– faculty teaching– overall institutional

reputation or prestige

The Library contributes to …

Report complemented by … • Futures Thinking for Academic

Librarians: Higher Education in 2025 (June 2010) – http://www.acrl.org/futures

• Top Ten Trends in Academic Libraries (June 2010) - http://crln.acrl.org/content/71/6/286.full

• Environmental Scan (2011)

ACRL’s Strategic Plan (July 2011)Goal: Academic libraries demonstrate alignment with

and impact on institutional outcomes.– Leverage existing research to articulate and promote the

value of academic and research libraries.– Undertake and support new research that builds on the

research agenda in The Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Review and Report.

– Influence national conversations and activities focused on the value of higher education.

– Develop and deliver responsive professional development programs that build the skills and capacity for leadership and local data-informed and evidence-based advocacy.

Value of Academic Libraries Committee

• To oversee and coordinate ACRL's Value of Academic Libraries Initiative;

• Work with the ACRL Board and other ACRL units to create a comprehensive effort including:– professional development, – publications, – research, and – consultation services and – in developing the ACRL Value website; and

• monitor and assess the effectiveness of the Value Initiative.

Co-Chairs: Lisa Hinchliffe and Megan Oakleaf

Body of Work:Completed & Forthcoming

• Professional Development– Past and Upcoming Presentations

(http://www.acrl.ala.org/value/?page_id= 39Publications)

• Publications– Toolkit

(http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/value/valueofacademiclibrariestoolkit.cfm)

– Revised Standards for Academic Libraries in Higher Education (2011)

• Research with NCES Data (in process)• Collaboration with Higher Education

Associations (in process)

How can the ACRL Value of Academic Libraries Initiativebest serve you, your library, and/or the profession?

thank youquestions comments