Date:  September 2010

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

Source:  American Library Association; Association of College and Research Libraries

Created by Dr. Megan Oakleaf, Syracuse University for the Association of College and Research Libraries.

Found Online:  ACRL Value of Academic Libraries

Download Paper: The Value of Academic Libraries

Here is an excerpt from the executive summary from Dr. Megan Oakleaf:

Academic libraries have long enjoyed their status as the “heart of the university.”

However, in recent decades, higher education environments have changed.

Government officials see higher education as a national resource. Employers view

higher education institutions as producers of a commodity—student learning. Top

academic faculty expect higher education institutions to support and promote cuttingedge

research. Parents and students expect higher education to enhance students’

collegiate experience, as well as propel their career placement and earning potential.

Not only do stakeholders count on higher education institutions to achieve these goals,

they also require them to demonstrate evidence that they have achieved them. The

same is true for academic libraries; they too can provide evidence of their value.

Community college, college, and university librarians no longer can rely on their

stakeholders’ belief in their importance. Rather, they must demonstrate their value.

Tags: Dr. Megan Oakleaf, Value of Academic Libraries